Robert Hecht, PhD
Professor of Epidemiology; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Dr. Hecht’s research focuses on global health policy and financing. In recent years, his research has concentrated on the costs, financing, and cost-effectiveness of actual and prospective investments in Hepatitis B and C, AIDS, malaria, vaccine-preventable diseases, and nutrition interventions. The challenges and policy responses to declining donor financing of health, and the corresponding need to mobilize increased domestic funding, has also been a recurring theme in his research. Projects have covered more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Clients have included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria; the Gavi Vaccine Alliance; UNAIDS; Unitaid; the Tata Education Trusts; Nutrition International; and others. Previously, Dr. Hecht’s research in global health also covered policies and financing to stimulate expanded investment in research and development for new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other products to meet the priority needs of low and middle income countries; innovative financing mechanisms for global health; and reform of national health insurance mechanisms on the road to Universal Health Coverage. Dr. Hecht has published his research results in a wide range of journals including the Lancet, Lancet Global Health, Health Policy and Planning, Health Affairs, PLoS, and the Journal of Global Health.
Public Health Interests
Global Health; Health Care Financing; Health Policy; HIV/AIDS; Infectious Diseases; Substance Use, Addiction; Vaccines
Selected Publications
- Tanzania HIV Investment Case (IC) 2.0: Using modeling to explore optimization under severe resource constraintsHiebert L, Resch S, Schutte C, Turay M, Zekeng L, Matiku S, Semini I, Stover J, Forsythe S, Hecht R. Tanzania HIV Investment Case (IC) 2.0: Using modeling to explore optimization under severe resource constraints. Journal Of Global Health Reports 2022, 5 DOI: 10.29392/001c.30063.
- Responsible Resource Allocation, Public Health Stewardship, and EthicsHecht R, Arias D, Krubiner C. Responsible Resource Allocation, Public Health Stewardship, and Ethics. 2019, 829-841. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190245191.013.72.
- The investment case for hepatitis B and C in South Africa: adaptation and innovation in policy analysis for disease program scale-upHecht R, Hiebert L, Spearman WC, Sonderup MW, Guthrie T, Hallett TB, Nayagam S, Razavi H, Soe-Lin S, Vilakazi-Nhlapo K, Pillay Y, Resch S. The investment case for hepatitis B and C in South Africa: adaptation and innovation in policy analysis for disease program scale-up. Health Policy And Planning 2018, 33: 528-538. PMID: 29529282, PMCID: PMC5894072, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czy018.
- Morocco investment case for hepatitis C: using analysis to drive the translation of political commitment to actionHecht R, Kaddar M, Resch S, El Kaim J, Perfect C, Sodqi M, Himmich H, Hiebert L. Morocco investment case for hepatitis C: using analysis to drive the translation of political commitment to action. Journal Of Global Health Reports 2018, 3 DOI: 10.29392/joghr.3.e2019011.
- Transitioning financial responsibility for health programs from external donors to developing countries: Key issues and recommendations for policy and researchResch S, Hecht R. Transitioning financial responsibility for health programs from external donors to developing countries: Key issues and recommendations for policy and research. Journal Of Global Health 2018, 8: 010301. PMID: 29391944, PMCID: PMC5782833, DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.010301.
- Morocco investment case for hepatitis C: using analysis to drive the translation of political commitment to actionHecht R, Kaddar M, Resch S, El Kaim J, Perfect C, Sodqi M, Himmich H, Hiebert L. Morocco investment case for hepatitis C: using analysis to drive the translation of political commitment to action. Journal Of Global Health Reports 2018 DOI: 10.29392//001c.12031.
- PrEP for key populations in combination HIV prevention in Nairobi: a mathematical modelling studyCremin I, McKinnon L, Kimani J, Cherutich P, Gakii G, Muriuki F, Kripke K, Hecht R, Kiragu M, Smith J, Hinsley W, Gelmon L, Hallett TB. PrEP for key populations in combination HIV prevention in Nairobi: a mathematical modelling study. The Lancet HIV 2017, 4: e214-e222. PMID: 28233660, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(17)30021-8.
- Reaching the global target to reduce stunting: an investment frameworkShekar M, Kakietek J, D’Alimonte M, Rogers H, Eberwein J, Akuoku J, Pereira A, Soe-Lin S, Hecht R. Reaching the global target to reduce stunting: an investment framework. Health Policy And Planning 2017, 32: 657-668. PMID: 28453717, PMCID: PMC5406759, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw184.
- Reorienting health aid to meet post-2015 global health challenges: a case study of Sweden as a donorYamey G, Sundewall J, Saxenian H, Hecht R, Jordan K, Schäferhoff M, Schrade C, Deleye C, Thomas M, Blanchet N, Summers L, Jamison D. Reorienting health aid to meet post-2015 global health challenges: a case study of Sweden as a donor. Oxford Review Of Economic Policy 2016, 32: 122-146. DOI: 10.1093/oxrep/grv024.
- Reorienting health aid to meet post-2015 global health challenges: a case study of Sweden as a donorGavin Yamey, Jesper Sundewall, Helen Saxenian, Robert Hecht, Keely Jordan, Marco Schäferhoff, Christina Schrade, Cécile Deleye, Milan Thomas, Nathan Blanchet, Lawrence Summers, and Dean Jamison, “Reorienting health aid to meet post-2015 global health challenges: a case study of Sweden as a donor”, Oxford Review of Economic Policy 2016, 32(1): 122-146.
- Countries transitioning from health aid: we need a common research agenda and mechanisms for joint actionRobert Hecht and Sara Bennett, “Countries transitioning from health aid: we need a common research agenda and mechanisms for joint action”, Health Affairs, November 4, 2016.
- Defeating AIDS—advancing global healthPiot P, Karim S, Hecht R, Legido-Quigley H, Buse K, Stover J, Resch S, Ryckman T, Møgedal S, Dybul M, Goosby E, Watts C, Kilonzo N, McManus J, Sidibé M, Commission U. Defeating AIDS—advancing global health. The Lancet 2015, 386: 171-218. PMID: 26117719, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(15)60658-4.
- Funding AIDS programmes in the era of shared responsibility: an analysis of domestic spending in 12 low-income and middle-income countriesResch S, Ryckman T, Hecht R. Funding AIDS programmes in the era of shared responsibility: an analysis of domestic spending in 12 low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Global Health 2015, 3: e52-e61. PMID: 25539970, DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(14)70342-0.
- Overcoming challenges to sustainable immunization financing: early experiences from GAVI graduating countriesSaxenian H, Hecht R, Kaddar M, Schmitt S, Ryckman T, Cornejo S. Overcoming challenges to sustainable immunization financing: early experiences from GAVI graduating countries. Health Policy And Planning 2014, 30: 197-205. PMID: 24510369, PMCID: PMC4325534, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czu003.
- Global collective action in health: The WDR+20 landscape of core and supportive functionsBlanchet N, Thomas M, Atun R, Jamison D, Knaul F, Hecht R. Global collective action in health: The WDR+20 landscape of core and supportive functions. 2014, 2014 DOI: 10.35188/unu-wider/2014/732-5.
- Vaccine research and developmentHecht R, Jamison D, Augenstein J, Partridge G, Thorien K. Vaccine research and development. 2012, 299-334. DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781139236805.009.
- Financing vaccinations – The South African experienceBlecher MS, Meheus F, Kollipara A, Hecht R, Cameron NA, Pillay Y, Hanna L. Financing vaccinations – The South African experience. Vaccine 2012, 30: c79-c86. PMID: 22939027, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.042.
- Transparent pricing of vaccines would help poor as well as rich countriesHecht R, Kaddar M, Schmitt S. Transparent pricing of vaccines would help poor as well as rich countries. The BMJ 2011, 343: d7414. PMID: 22113835, DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d7414.
- Economic Returns to Investment in AIDS Treatment in Low and Middle Income CountriesResch S, Korenromp E, Stover J, Blakley M, Krubiner C, Thorien K, Hecht R, Atun R. Economic Returns to Investment in AIDS Treatment in Low and Middle Income Countries. PLOS ONE 2011, 6: e25310. PMID: 21998648, PMCID: PMC3187775, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025310.
- An Analysis Of How The GAVI Alliance And Low- And Middle-Income Countries Can Share Costs Of New VaccinesSaxenian H, Cornejo S, Thorien K, Hecht R, Schwalbe N. An Analysis Of How The GAVI Alliance And Low- And Middle-Income Countries Can Share Costs Of New Vaccines. Health Affairs 2011, 30: 1122-1133. PMID: 21653966, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0332.
- Financing of HIV/AIDS programme scale-up in low-income and middle-income countries, 2009–31Hecht R, Stover J, Bollinger L, Muhib F, Case K, de Ferranti D. Financing of HIV/AIDS programme scale-up in low-income and middle-income countries, 2009–31. The Lancet 2010, 376: 1254-1260. PMID: 20934597, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(10)61255-x.
- Critical Choices In Financing The Response To The Global HIV/AIDS PandemicHecht R, Bollinger L, Stover J, McGreevey W, Muhib F, Madavo CE, de Ferranti D. Critical Choices In Financing The Response To The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic. Health Affairs 2009, 28: 1591-1605. PMID: 19887401, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.6.1591.
- Improving Health R&D Financing For Developing Countries: A Menu Of Innovative Policy OptionsHecht R, Wilson P, Palriwala A. Improving Health R&D Financing For Developing Countries: A Menu Of Innovative Policy Options. Health Affairs 2009, 28: 974-985. PMID: 19597195, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.4.974.
- Demand forecasting for preventive AIDS vaccines: economic and policy dimensions.Hecht R, Gandhi G. Demand forecasting for preventive AIDS vaccines: economic and policy dimensions. PharmacoEconomics 2008, 26: 679-97. PMID: 18620461, DOI: 10.2165/00019053-200826080-00005.
- The Impact Of An AIDS Vaccine In Developing Countries: A New Model And Initial ResultsStover J, Bollinger L, Hecht R, Williams C, Roca E. The Impact Of An AIDS Vaccine In Developing Countries: A New Model And Initial Results. Health Affairs 2007, 26: 1147-1158. PMID: 17630459, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.4.1147.
- Financing Vaccine R&D – Gaps and Opportunities for InnovationWilson, Paul, and Hecht, Robert. “Financing Vaccine R&D – Gaps and Opportunities for Innovation”. Global Forum Update on Research for Health 4. Global Forum for Health Research. Geneva. October 2007.
- Putting it together: AIDS and the millennium development goals.Hecht R, Alban A, Taylor K, Post S, Andersen NB, Schwarz R. Putting it together: AIDS and the millennium development goals. PLoS Medicine 2006, 3: e455. PMID: 17132054, PMCID: PMC1664623, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030455.
- Estimating the demand for a preventive HIV vaccine: why we need to do better. Reliable estimates would help in achieving several policy and advocacy objectives.Hecht R, Suraratdecha C. Estimating the demand for a preventive HIV vaccine: why we need to do better. Reliable estimates would help in achieving several policy and advocacy objectives. PLoS Medicine 2006, 3: e398. PMID: 16953657, PMCID: PMC1560173, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030398.
- AIDS Vaccine Research Today: A Deeper Partnership between CountriesHecht, Robert, Julie Becker, and Eva Roca. “AIDS Vaccine Research Today: A Deeper Partnership between Countries”, HealthLinks 138, April-May 2006.
- Millennium Development Goals for Health: What Will It Take to Accelerate Progress?Wagstaff A, Claeson M, Hecht RM, Gottret P, Fang Q, Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, Alleyne G, Claeson M, Evans DB, Jha P, Mills A, Musgrove P. Millennium Development Goals for Health: What Will It Take to Accelerate Progress? 2006.
- Recent Trends and Innovations in Development Assistance for HealthHecht R, Shah R, Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, Alleyne G, Claeson M, Evans DB, Jha P, Mills A, Musgrove P. Recent Trends and Innovations in Development Assistance for Health 2006.
- Making Health Care AccountableHecht, Robert, Amie Batson, and Logan Brenzel. “Making Health Care Accountable”, Finance and Development 41:1, March 2004.
- Accelerating progress toward the health, nutrition, and population-related Millennium Development GoalsWagstaff, Adam, Mariam Claeson, Robert Hecht, and others. Accelerating progress toward the health, nutrition, and population-related Millennium Development Goals, World Bank, April 2003
- Achieving the MDGs: A Case Study of AIDS and Communicable DiseasesHecht, Robert, Susan Stout, and others. Achieving the MDGs: A Case Study of AIDS and Communicable Diseases, World Bank, September 2002.
- Making AIDS Part of the Global Development AgendaHecht, Robert, Olusoji Adeyi, and Iris Semini. “Making AIDS Part of the Global Development Agenda”, Finance and Development 39:1, March 2002.
- Poverty, Debt, and AIDS: a ToolkitAdeyi, Olusoji, Robert Hecht, and Agnes Soucat. “Poverty, Debt, and AIDS: a Toolkit”. Geneva: UNAIDS Best Practice series, 2001.
- Argentina: Facing the Challenge of Health Insurance ReformHecht, Robert, and others. Argentina: Facing the Challenge of Health Insurance Reform, The World Bank, 1997.
- Urban Health: An Emerging Priority for the World BankHecht, Robert. “Urban Health: An Emerging Priority for the World Bank”, in Trudy Harpham and Marcel Tanner, Urban Health in Developing Countries. London: Earthscan Publications, 1995.
- Swimming Against the Tide: Strategies for Improving Equity in HealthBirdsall, Nancy and Hecht, Robert. “Swimming Against the Tide: Strategies for Improving Equity in Health”, HRO Working Paper, May 1995. The World Bank
- Improving the implementation of cost recovery for health: lessons from Zimbabwe.Hecht R, Overholt C, Holmberg H. Improving the implementation of cost recovery for health: lessons from Zimbabwe. Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 1993, 25: 213-42. PMID: 10129767.
- Investing in Health – The World Development Report 1993Jamison, Dean, Robert Hecht, and others. “Investing in Health – The World Development Report 1993”. The World Bank. June 1993.
- Rethinking the Government’s Role in HealthHecht, Robert, and Musgrove, Philip. “Rethinking the Government’s Role in Health”, Finance and Development 30:3, September 1993.
- Zimbabwe: Financing Health ServicesHecht, Robert, and others. Zimbabwe: Financing Health Services. The World Bank. A Country Study, 1992.
- Lessons Learned through a Decade of Integrated Rural Development in Sri LankaHecht, Robert. Lessons Learned through a Decade of Integrated Rural Development in Sri Lanka, World Bank Sector Study, 1986.