“I like the diversity in Victoria, when you walk in the street you see people from different nations and they really fit in here.”
While studying for a Bachelor of Economics, Huong Tran developed an interest in health economics that has led to her receiving Victorian visa nomination and settling permanently in Melbourne. As a researcher with Deakin Health Economics, Huong undertakes investigations for organisations such as the Cancer Council and World Health Organization.
Huong’s journey to skilled visa nomination began after she made the decision to study abroad. Observing that Melbourne was one of the most liveable cities in the world, she researched universities in Victoria before been accepted at Deakin University. Huong adds, “I like the diversity in Victoria, when you walk in the street you see people from different nations and they really fit in here.”
In 2019, Huong graduated from Deakin University with a Masters in Health Economics and quickly began putting her skills to work. With an eye on potentially completing a PhD in the future, Huong’s current work with Deakin Health Economics focusses on the economics of obesity and non-communicative diseases. Her research provides us with insights on the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions informing efficient resource allocation.
Her recent work has found the Cancer Council’s LiveLighter campaign to be both cost-effective and have a positive effect on the population’s health. The direct and non-direct health costs of cardiovascular diseases, type two diabetes and cancer are the subject of Huong’s current project for the World Health Organization.
“Looking at different healthcare systems, sourcing information, seeing the treatment pathway and how the population with such illnesses can be affected in their ability to work as well as their quality of life and how these diseases cause such a burden on the healthcare system.”
Long term plans for Huong in Melbourne include settling down in her own home with a family. “I feel it is really easy to settle in and get to know the environment, the people and get exposed to people from different cultures, learn from their background, and just to help me grow as a person.”