Min Hu

(He, Him, His)

Associate Professor

Economics, Global Studies, Sustainability (IGS)

Other Titles: Academic Director, UBC Okanagan Research Data Centre
Office: ART 334
Email: min.hu@ubc.ca

Research Summary

Health Economics; Public Health; Applied Microeconomics; Labour Economics; Sports Economics

Courses & Teaching

Microeconomics; Health Economics; Sports Economics; Labour Economics; Managerial Economics

Biography

Dr. Hu’s research lies at the intersection of health economics, public health, and applied microeconomics. Using large-scale administrative and survey data, he examines socioeconomic inequalities, health outcomes, labour market experiences, and the effectiveness of public policies. His work places particular emphasis on vulnerable populations, including Indigenous peoples, immigrants, sexual minorities, children, and cancer patients. His research aims to provide evidence that supports more effective and equitable public policy in Canada.

Websites

minhu.ca

Degrees

PhD, Dalhousie University

Research Interests & Projects

My research spans the fields of Health Economics, Labour Economics, Applied Microeconomics and Econometrics, with a focus on the economics of well-being of vulnerable populations (Immigrants and Indigenous peoples) in Canada, as well as the economics of cancer and social policy-related topics.

Selected Publications & Presentations

“The Impact of Child Benefit Reforms on Parental Health: New Evidence from Canada.” (2026), with Daley, A., and Watson, B., Empirical Economics,70 (4), 60

“The Gendered Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Canadians.” (2025), with Dilmaghani, M., and Keays, D., Atlantic Canada Economics Review,5 (1)

“Homegrown Heroes: The Impact of Locally Born Hockey Players on Attendance and Revenue in the National Hockey League.” (2025), with Perron, E., Journal of Sports Economics, 26 (4), 427-453

“Gender Earnings Gap in Canadian Economics Departments.” (2024), with Dilmaghani, M., Applied Economics Letters, 1-8

“Hockey babies: National Hockey League outcomes and short-term fertility spikes in Canada.” (2024), with Dilmaghani, M., Sports Economics Review, 6, 100033.

“Inequalities in health between First Nations adults living outside of their communities and the non-Indigenous adults in Canada: a decomposition analysis.” (2024), with Hajizadeh, M. and Bombay, A., Canadian Public Policy, 50(1), 51-75

“Mind the Gap: What Factors Determine the Worse Health Status of Indigenous Women Relative to Men Living Off-Reserve in Canada?” (2022), with Hajizadeh, M., Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 1-27.

“Explaining the gaps in psychological distress and suicidal behaviours between non-Indigenous and Indigenous adults living off-reserve in Canada: a cross-sectional study.” (2021), with Hajizadeh, M., Asada, Y., and Bombay, A., CMAJ Open, vol. 9 no. 1 E215-E223.

“Literacy, numeracy, technology skill, and labour market outcomes among Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” (2019), with Daley, A., and Warman, C., Canadian Public Policy, 45(1), 48-73.

“Socioeconomic inequalities in health among Indigenous Peoples living off-reserve in Canada: trends and determinants.” (2019), with Hajizadeh, M., Asada, Y., and Bombay, A., Health Policy, 122(8), 854-865.

“Language proficiency and immigrants’ economic integration.” (2019), with Daley, A., and Warman, C., IZA World of Labor, 469.

“The relative importance of clinical, economic, patient values and feasibility criteria in cancer drug reimbursement in Canada: a revealed preferences analysis of recommendations of the pan-canadian oncology drug review 2011–2017.” (2018), with Skedgel, C., and Wranik, D., PharmacoEconomics, 36(4), 467-475.

“Costs of Productivity Loss due to Occupational Cancer in Canada: Estimation Using Claims Data from Workers’ Compensation Boards.” (2017), with Wranik, D., and Muir, A., Health Economics Review, 7(1), 9

Selected Grants & Awards

SSHRC Insight Development Grants (IDG) (PI), 2026-2028
SSHRC Bridge Funding (PI), 2024-2025
CIHR Team Grants (CI), 2024-2026
UBC Research Excellence Clusters (CI), 2024-2026
SSHRC Explore and Exchange Grants (PI), 2023-2024
SSHRC New Frontiers in Research Funding (CI), 2023-2026
SSHRC Partnership Grants (PG) – Stage 2 (CI), 2022-2027
UBC New Faculty Startup Grants (PI), 2021-2025
UBC Hampton Research Grants (PI), 2021-2023

Professional Services/Affiliations/Committees

Canadian Centre of Health Economics (Faculty Associate)
Canadian Economic Association (Member)
Western Economic Association (Member)
International Health Economics association (Member)