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Anett JOHN (CREST) – “Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment?"

May 21, 2019 @ 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
The Microeconometrics Seminar: Every Tuesday at 12:15 pm.
Time: 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Date: 21st of May 2019
Place: Room 3001.
Anett JOHN (CREST) – “Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment?”, joint work with Johannes Haushofer (Princeton) and Kate Orkin (Oxford).

Abstract: Behavioral constraints may explain part of low demand for preventive health products. We test the effects of two light-touch psychological interventions on water chlorination and related health and economic outcomes using a randomized controlled trial among 3750 women in rural Kenya. One intervention encourages participants to visualize alternative realizations of the future; one builds participants’ ability to make concrete plans to achieve goals. Both interventions include information on health benefits of chlorination. After twelve weeks, both interventions increase the share of households who chlorinate drinking water and reduce child diarrhea episodes. Analysis of mechanisms suggests both interventions increase self-efficacy – beliefs about one’s ability to achieve desired outcomes – as well as the salience of chlorination. They do not differentially affect beliefs and knowledge about chlorination (compared to a group who receive only information), nor affect lab measures of time preferences or planning ability. Results suggest simple psychological interventions can increase use of preventive health technologies.

Organizers:
Laurent Davezies (CREST), Benoit Schmutz (CREST), Arne Uhlendorff (CREST) & Lucas Girard (CREST)
Sponsors:
CREST
Lunch registration:
food provided, no registration