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Population Health Metrics
Published in: Population Health Metrics 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Review

The Population Health Model (POHEM): an overview of rationale, methods and applications

Authors: Deirdre A. Hennessy, William M. Flanagan, Peter Tanuseputro, Carol Bennett, Meltem Tuna, Jacek Kopec, Michael C. Wolfson, Douglas G. Manuel

Published in: Population Health Metrics | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

The POpulation HEalth Model (POHEM) is a health microsimulation model that was developed at Statistics Canada in the early 1990s. POHEM draws together rich multivariate data from a wide range of sources to simulate the lifecycle of the Canadian population, specifically focusing on aspects of health. The model dynamically simulates individuals’ disease states, risk factors, and health determinants, in order to describe and project health outcomes, including disease incidence, prevalence, life expectancy, health-adjusted life expectancy, quality of life, and healthcare costs. Additionally, POHEM was conceptualized and built with the ability to assess the impact of policy and program interventions, not limited to those taking place in the healthcare system, on the health status of Canadians. Internationally, POHEM and other microsimulation models have been used to inform clinical guidelines and health policies in relation to complex health and health system problems. This paper provides a high-level overview of the rationale, methodology, and applications of POHEM. Applications of POHEM to cardiovascular disease, physical activity, cancer, osteoarthritis, and neurological diseases are highlighted.
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Metadata
Title
The Population Health Model (POHEM): an overview of rationale, methods and applications
Authors
Deirdre A. Hennessy
William M. Flanagan
Peter Tanuseputro
Carol Bennett
Meltem Tuna
Jacek Kopec
Michael C. Wolfson
Douglas G. Manuel
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Population Health Metrics / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1478-7954
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12963-015-0057-x

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