Family Health Spillovers: A Multidimensional Regression Discontinuity Design

Fabrice Kampfen, Owen O'Donnell and Xuezheng Qin
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Fabrice Kampfen: University College Dublin
Owen O'Donnell: Erasmus University Rotterdam
Xuezheng Qin: Peking University

No 26-049/V, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

Abstract: A multidimensional regression discontinuity design reveals large and asymmetric spillovers from personalized health information within Chinese families. Warning a man that he has high blood pressure (BP) is estimated to reduce his wife’s BP by 7.5% and her probability of high BP by 24% points, while there is no female-to male spillover. Warning a parent (father, particularly) reduces their adult child’s BP. Identified mechanisms are reduced adiposity (spousal) and healthier behavior (intergenerational). Asymmetry can be explained by joint health production under collective but gender-unequal household decision making. We demonstrate screening even for non-communicable disease risk can generate positive spillovers.

Keywords: Health behavior; Peer effects; Information; Collective household; Screening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C21 I12 I15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-08-02
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