Dorothy P. Rice

Photo of Dorothy P. Rice

Dorothy P. Rice (June 11, 1922 – February 25, 2017) was an American health economist and public health expert. She was renowned for her pioneering work in the field of health economics and for her significant contributions to the understanding of the economic impact of health care and public health policies.

Early Life and Education

Dorothy P. Rice was born on June 11, 1922, in New York City. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics from Hunter College in 1941. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Career

Rice began her career at the Social Security Administration in 1941, where she worked on various projects related to social insurance and health care financing. In 1960, she joined the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), where she played a crucial role in developing and implementing national health surveys.

Contributions to Health Economics

Dorothy P. Rice is best known for her work on the economic costs of illness and disability. She conducted groundbreaking research on the costs associated with chronic diseases, mental health, and aging. Her studies provided valuable data that influenced health policy and funding decisions.

One of her most notable contributions was her research on the economic impact of smoking. Her work demonstrated the significant costs of smoking-related illnesses to the health care system and the economy, which helped shape public health policies aimed at reducing smoking rates.

Academic and Professional Achievements

In addition to her work at the NCHS, Rice held academic positions at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she served as a professor of health economics and later as the chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. She was also a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Public Health Association and the National Academy of Medicine.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Dorothy P. Rice received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to health economics and public health. These include the Warren J. Mitofsky Award for Excellence in Public Opinion Research and the Distinguished Career Award from the American Public Health Association.

Legacy

Dorothy P. Rice's work has had a lasting impact on the field of health economics and public health. Her research has informed policy decisions and improved the understanding of the economic implications of health care and public health issues. She is remembered as a pioneer in her field and a dedicated advocate for the use of economic analysis in health policy.

Personal Life

Dorothy P. Rice was married to Leonard S. Rice, and they had three children. She passed away on February 25, 2017, at the age of 94.

See Also

• Health economics
• Public health
• National Center for Health Statistics
• University of California, San Francisco

External Links

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