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

Final written exam

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