Endogenous Screening and Health Behaviors
Because 80% of lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking, we build a dynamic structural model in which screening and smoking are chosen simultaneously. We estimate the model from a variety of data sources, including novel survey information and EHR data from over 100 hospital systems. In a survey experiment, we randomly frame screening and smoking questions, highlighting stigma, belief, and price mechanisms. Informing respondents of their eligibility for free lung cancer screening under USPSTF guidelines increases intention to screen by 68.1%. We find limited effects of interventions that target a.) stigma and b.) beliefs regarding the rate of false positives. We also statistically rule out moral hazard effects with respect to screening – the idea that a clean scan may encourage further smoking.
Speaker:
Dr. Michael Darden is an Associate Professor at the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University. He is also a Research Faculty Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a Co-Editor at the Journal of Human Resources. Dr. Darden conducts research in health economics and health econometrics. His research has appeared in numerous academic journals, including the Journal of Political Economy and all three major health economics journals.