Room: Upson 117
Time: Mon 16:45 PM-18:15 PM

Addressing Problems of Self-Control Related to Health

Chair: Brian Elbel

Session Description

The papers in this session examine several self-control problems apparent in health economics –
eating habits, obesity, and medicine adherence. These papers try to address these issues in
different ways and thus, they provide important contrasts. Two of the three papers focus on
behaviors among children for whom life-style changes may reap large rewards. Since behaviors
facing self-control problems have a large impact on health care costs, understanding and
mitigating these behaviors is quite important.

Key Terms None listed

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Presentations

1. Market Participation and Response to Incentives When Money Grows on Trees: Evidence from a Field Experiment

   Presenter: Joseph Price (Brigham Young University)

   Discussant: Matthew Levy (Harvard University)

2. A Test of Financial Incentives to Improve Warfarin Adherence

   Presenter: Kevin Volpp (University of Pennsylvania)

   Discussant: Tom Chang (University of Southern California)

3. Childhood Obesity, Parents’ Knowledge and Report Cards

   Presenter: Heather Royer (University of California, Santa Barbara)

   Discussant: Christopher Carpenter (University of California, Irvine)