70138 - Lifestyles and Health Outcomes

Academic Year 2021/2022

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;
  • 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.

Copies of teaching materials (slides, exercises) will be published on the university platform VIRTUALE: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Assessment methods

Final written exam or a final essay.

The final essay can be written by groups of up to 4 students. It must be structured as an academic article (general introduction, problem statement/research question, theoretical framework, research methods, results, discussion and conclusions, bibliography). The topic is chosen by the students, upon approval by the lecturer. Students must deliver the essay by the deadline announced in class (typically, at the beginning of January). If the grade of the essay is a fail, or if the student does not accept the grade, the student must take the final written exam.

The content and structure of the final exam is intended to assess familiarity with the material covered in the course lectures, and, in particular, to assess understanding of the theoretical content of the course and the knowledge of the main empirical facts discussed in class. The nature of exam questions will closely follow topics and examples covered during the course.

The exam is computer-based through a platform provided by the University. In case online exams will be envisaged by the University of Bologna, the structure of the written exam is the same. The exam will be run through Zoom and Exams Online (EOL). Detailed instructions on how to manage and hand in the online exam are available on the course page on the VIRTUALE platform.

During exams students will NOT be allowed to use materials such as: textbooks, lecture notes/slides; any written notes; web-enabled or data storage devices, or smartphones. Candidates found with such items will be removed from the exam and their work will not be marked.

The grading system is on a 0-30 range. The maximum possible score is 30 cum laude, in case all answers are correct, complete and formally rigorous. If this is not the case, the following grid applies:
  • 30 cum laude: Excellent preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a correct and precise language; ability to analyze critically and to link different concepts, mastery of specific terminology
  • 27-30: Very good preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a correct and precise language; very good ability to analyze critically and to link different concepts.
  • 24-27: Good preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a formally correct language. Some minor imprecision in the exposition and use of technical concepts
  • 21-24: Satisfactory preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a formally correct language. Some imprecisions in the exposition and use of technical concepts
  • 18-21: Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a formally correct language. Many imprecisions in the exposition and use of technical concepts
  • 17 or less: fail

Candidates will be required to enroll for exams via the University's electronic service (AlmaEsami). Exam marks will be published via the University's electronic service (AlmaEsami).

After exams students will be entitled to see their script by attending the lecturer’s office hour.

Students will be allowed to reject their final grade for the course at most ONCE. When exam results are published, the date by when students must notify the course lecturer f their intention to reject their mark, will be communicated to candidates. Notification of the intention to reject must be sent in writing (by email). After the date specified, marks will be electronically registered (verbalizzato).

Teaching tools

Slides, example exercises and some mock-up exams from previous years will available on the platform VIRTUALE: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Links to further information

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

Office hours

See the website of Davide Dragone

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education Decent work and economic growth Climate Action

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.