Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment?

Johannes Haushofer, Anett John and Kate Orkin ()

No 25731, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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. 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.

JEL-codes: D91 I12 O12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-hea
Note: DEV EH
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published as Anett John & Kate Orkin, 2022. "Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment? [Fostering Patience in the Classroom: Results from a Randomized Educational Intervention]," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 20(3), pages 1001-1047.

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Journal Article: Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment? (2022)
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