Podcast: Maria Xosé San Martin talks about Health Economics

In this episode of Brazilian Women in Economics’s podcast, Mari Xosé Sanmartin talked to us about what is Health Economics, a branch of the area that studies how to allocate resources for health in shortage conditions. Sanmartin is Uruguayan, Ph.D. in Economics from Stony Brook University and currently a professor at Hofstra University (US). Her most recent research is about opioids (a drug made of poppy and legally utilized to relieve intense pain), and how the crisis of this substance could impact families and the treatment of patients.

Our guest also discussed her motivation to study Economics and be an economist. She had known that she wanted something related to Mathematics. Then, in the last two years of high school, she chose to study Science (other options were Humanities and Biology). Despite appreciating this study area, she missed a social component.

Nossa convidada também falou sobre o que a levou a escolher a profissão de economista. Ela sabia que queria algo relacionado à matemática e, nos últimos dois anos do ensino médio, optou por cursar Ciências (as outras opções eram Humanas e Biologia). Apesar de gostar da área de exatas, ela sentiu falta do componente social.

“Knowing Maths is great, but I wanted to use this tool the improve people’s life. This was the major reason why I chose Economics. I think this a very important tool to make a difference in this world”.

Maria Xosé Sanmartin about her choice career

The professor and researcher also discussed how she feels about being a Latina woman in the United States, working in research. “When you actually made the decision to move to other country, you not only see the differences but you also experience what does really mean to live in a total different place. Coming here to the US gives me this perspective, and actually gave me the opportunity to see we as Latinos are so alike”, she told us. She also gave advice to young women who dream high, even if the obstacles are too difficult.

In addition, Sanmartin called attention to mental health problems caused by the pandemic and social isolation, and how is possible to reduce this damage.

The podcast episode was recorded in English, and you can read the translation into Portuguese here.

Don’t miss this episode!