Material (click to download):
– Slides for the introductory lecture.
– Case study 1, 2, 3, 4 for discussion and solutions (available here after the lecture).
Healthy aging is not only about the genes we are born with, but also about the choices we make through our daily life. Thus, one “easy” way to foster healthy aging is to influence and guide behavior of those who are healthy (e.g. stopping smoking, eating healthier, being active), of those who are at risk (e.g. engaging with screening programs and attending medical appointments), and of those who are already ill (e.g. taking medication as prescribed). However, this is not easy as it sounds: human behaviour is often influenced by automatic, habitual and unconscious responses and people have limited self-control, attention, cognitive capacities and memory.
The Behavioral Insights approach applies evidence about actual human behavior—rather than assumptions about it—to practical problems. Since 2010, these insights have opened up new ways of addressing some of the biggest challenges faced by societies, changing the way that governments, businesses, and nonprofits work in the process.
This lecture aims to show how this “behavioral” approach can be used to foster healthy ageing. Specifically, we will:
- present how economists model ageing;
- explain what Behavioral Insights are;
- give three examples of behavioral interventions;
- discuss (in small groups and then all together) what are the possible challenges when we run behavioral interventions and we evaluate their effects.
To know more:
- Kessler, J. B., & Zhang, C. Y. (2014). Behavioral Economics and Health.
Marco Piovesan 