70138 - Lifestyles and Health Outcomes

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student understands the health-related behavioral determinants and has an overview of some recent policies aimed at improving the population's lifestyles. He/she has adequate knowledge of: 1) the demand for health and health capital; 2) the behavioral determinants leading to unhealthy outcomes such as obesity and addiction; 3) the trade-offs between health and welfare objectives; 4) the policies aimed at changing health-related behavior and lifestyles. The course combines theoretical analysis and discussion of case-studies.

Course contents

The course combines theoretical analysis and discussion of case-studies on the following topics:

• The demand for health and health capital;
• The behavioral determinants leading to unhealthy outcomes such as obesity and addiction;
• The trade-offs between health and welfare objectives;
•  The policies aimed at changing health-related behavior and lifestyles.

Readings/Bibliography

• The main reference is Cawley, J., Ruhm C. (2011). The Economics of Risky Health Behaviors, Handbook of Health Economics, Vol. 1, 1539-1627, Elsevier.
• A useful reference is also Bhattacharya, Hyde, Tu (2013), Health Economics, Palgrave (Sections I, VI and VII).
• Additional references will be given in class.

Teaching methods

Standard Lectures and presentations by students

Assessment methods

Each student will be required to present a paper in class and to actively participate to class activities and discussions.

Teaching tools

Slides and additional readings will be provided by the instructor

Links to further information

https://sites.google.com/site/davidedragone/teaching

Office hours

See the website of Davide Dragone