Financial incentives have shown strong positive short-run effects for problematic health behaviors that likely stem from time inconsistency. However, the often disappear once incentive programs end. This paper analyzes results of a large-scale workplace field experiment to examine whether self-funded commitment contracts can improve long-run an program. A four-week program targeting use company gym generated only small lasting on behavior. Those also offered contract at end program, however,...

CONTEXT:The relationship between individuals' perception of their risk for acquiring HIV and use condoms is poorly understood.Understanding this crucial to the development effective strategies fight AIDS.METHODS: Data from Mozambique 2001 Adolescent Young Adult Reproductive Health Behavior Risk Survey are used compare 15-24-year-olds' assessments with based on current past sexual behavior.In bivariate probit regression analyses, correct assessment likelihood condom at last intercourse...

State excise taxes and Sunday sales bans are important interventions in the markets for beer spirits. This paper estimates effect of these policies on within-state cross—state purchases spirits 50 states plus District Columbia over period 1990-2004. The results indicate that while demand both appears to be quite price elastic, 20 40 percent elasticity is due displacement across state borders rather than decreases own—state drinking. also finds although repeal a ban leads an increase sale...

The use of incentives to encourage healthy behaviors is increasingly widespread, but we have little evidence about how best structure these programs.We explore different incentive designs affect behavior on the extensive and intensive margins through an experiment offering employees a Fortune 500 company their workplace gym.Overall likelihood joining gym was not strongly affected by design.Notably, frontloading initial participation more effective than kept constant over time.For those who...

It is known that the price of food influences purchasing and consumption decisions individuals; however, little work has examined if healthier relative to unhealthier in an individual's neighborhood associated with overall dietary quality while using data from multiple regions United States. Cross-sectional person-level came The Multi-Ethnic Study Atherosclerosis (exam 5, 2010-2012 n = 2765); a frequency questionnaire assessed diet. Supermarket food/beverage prices Information Resources Inc....

Abstract This article investigates whether offers of commitment contracts, in the form self-imposed choice-set restrictions and penalties with no financial upside, are well-targeted tools for addressing self-control problems. In an experiment on gym attendance (N$=1{,}248$), we examine take-up contracts also introduce a separate elicitation task to identify actual perceived time inconsistency. There is high greater attendance, resulting significant increases exercise. However, this...

Financial incentives have been shown to strong positive short run effects for problematic health behaviors, but the often disappear once incentive programs end.This paper analyzes results of a large scale workplace field experiment examine whether self funded commitment contracts improve long programs.Consistent with existing findings, workers responded strongly an targeting use company gym, were modest, at best.However, in treatment arm that combined program contract option showed lasting...

A growing number of firms use incentive programs to encourage healthy behaviors, but there is little evidence about how such incentives should be structured over time. We explore this issue using a large field experiment that incentivized employees Fortune 500 company their workplace gym. compare the effectiveness treatment with constant 8 weeks two treatments varied One variable featured front-loaded incentives, which could, in theory, help procrastinators overcome startup costs joining an...

Abstract The literature contains numerous studies that estimate the effect of cigarette taxes on smoking across various population groups. Although conclusions are split, most US find men more responsive to than women. This paper shows these results due failure control for state‐specific gender gaps in rates correlated with taxes. When gender‐specific state fixed effects included gaps, indicate women nearly twice as men. Since econometric specification controls variation tax response by...

More than 20 states have adopted laws requiring youths to wear a helmet when riding bicycle. We confirm previous research indicating that these reduced fatalities and increased use, but we also show the significantly youth bicycling. find this result in standard two-way fixed-effects models of parental reports bicycling triple-difference self-reported among high school explicitly account for by just above age threshold law. Our results highlight important intended unintended consequences...

Abstract A large body of evidence indicates that increased alcohol availability leads to consumption alcohol. From 1995 2008, fourteen states relaxed or repealed their bans on the Sunday sale packaged This paper leverages these repeals provide quasi-experimental effect sales related crash fatalities. Previous published studies in this area have found conflicting results regarding traffic accidents and fatalities, but focused single states, cities, provinces; are outdated; failed control for...

This study examined the association between price of healthier food relative to unhealthy and type 2 diabetes prevalence, incidence insulin resistance (IR). Data came from Multi-Ethnic Study Atherosclerosis exam 5 administered 2010-2012 (exam 4, five years prior, was used only for incidence) supermarket food/beverage prices derived Information Resources Inc. For each individual, average a selection foods, foods their ratio computed supermarkets within 3miles person's residential address....

Background: Few studies have examined associations of geographically proximal cigarette prices with within-person changes in smoking outcomes or assessed interactions between and bans. Methods: We linked neighborhood (inflation-adjusted) at chain supermarkets drug stores bar/restaurant ban policies to cohort participants (632 smokers from the Multi-Ethnic Study Atherosclerosis, 2001–2012, baseline mean age 58 years) using geocoded retailer participant addresses. used fixed-effects models...

Indoor smoking bans have often been associated with reductions in prevalence. However, few studies evaluated their association within-person changes behaviors. We linked longitudinal data from 5,105 adults aged 18-30 years at baseline the Coronary Artery Risk Development Young Adults (CARDIA) Study (1985-2011) to state, county, and local policies mandating 100% smoke-free bars restaurants by census tract. used fixed-effects models examine of change current risk, intensity (smoking ≥10...

A large body of evidence indicates that increased alcohol availability leads to consumption alcohol. From 1995 2005, thirteen states relaxed or repealed their bans on the Sunday sale packaged This paper leverages these repeals provide quasi experimental effect sales related crash fatalities. Previous published studies in this area have found conflicting results regarding traffic accidents and fatalities, but focused single states, cities, provinces; are outdated; failed control for...