Summary
I'm an Assistant Professor in Health Economics in the Department of Health Policy at the London School of Economics.
My research interests are in health economics relating to developing countries. I am particularly interested in applying quasi-experimental methods to evaluate large scale health programs; and evaluating through randomised controlled experiments, behavioural economics interventions to improve uptake and adherence to efficacious HIV prevention methods. Much of my work is applied, with the aim of providing robust evidence to improve policy decisions.
I am currently applying field experiments in Zimbabwe to measure the influence of risk, time and social preferences on risky sexual behaviour, uptake of HIV testing and prevention methods. I am also evaluating the cost-effectiveness of Population Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy to Reduce HIV Transmission (PopART) in Zambia and South Africa.
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
Thomas R, Cirera L, Brew J, et al., 2021, The short-term impact of a malaria elimination initiative in Southern Mozambique: Application of the synthetic control method to routine surveillance data, Health Economics, Vol:30, ISSN:1057-9230, Pages:2168-2184
Thomas R, Probert W, Sauter R, et al., 2021, Cost and cost-effectiveness of a universal HIV testing and treatment intervention in Zambia and South Africa: evidence and projections from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, The Lancet Global Health, Vol:9, ISSN:2214-109X, Pages:e668-e680
Thomas R, Burger R, Hauck K, 2018, Richer, wiser and in better health? The socioeconomic gradient inhypertension prevalence, unawareness and control in South Africa, Social Science & Medicine, Vol:217, ISSN:0277-9536, Pages:18-30
Morton A, Arulselvan A, Thomas RA, 2018, Allocation Rules for Global Donors., Journal of Health Economics, Vol:58, ISSN:0167-6296, Pages:67-75
Thomas RA, Burger R, Harper A, et al., 2017, Differences in health-related quality of life between HIV-positive and HIV-negative people in Zambia and South Africa: a cross-sectional baseline survey of the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, The Lancet Global Health, Vol:5, ISSN:2214-109X, Pages:e1133-e1141
Cundale K, Thomas R, Malaya JK, et al., 2017, A health intervention or a kitchen appliance? Household costs and benefits of a cleaner burning biomass-fuelled cookstove in Malawi, Social Science & Medicine, Vol:183, ISSN:0277-9536, Pages:1-10
Thomas RA, Morton A, Smith P, 2016, Decision rules for allocation of finances to health systems strengthening, Journal of Health Economics, Vol:49, ISSN:0167-6296, Pages:97-108