Topic: Health
Why the COVID-19 Baby Bust May Be Far Smaller Than Expected
Access to birth control among lower-income women was curtailed by pandemic’s lockdown
When Medicare Pays, Drug Companies Employ Older Subjects in Clinical Trials
The shift lends credibility to medicines vs. trials that exclude people 65 and older
Was Research — on Physicians and Noncompete Agreements — Before Its Time?
Years after a paper goes unpublished, it’s fodder for a major Federal Trade Commission proposal
Two-Tier Pricing: Reducing Risk for ACOs and Specialist Practices
Higher prices for the first few procedures, followed by a volume discount, may help balance risks and rewards
Too Much Free Time? Blame Solitude or Lack of Productive Activity
Even abundant free time, used in meaningful pursuits, brings happiness
The Transformative Potential of Financial Reparations
Payouts to victims of Colombia’s decadeslong armed conflict suggest benefits may exceed the initial cost
The Dollar Store Fix for Vaccination Deserts
Pharmacies aren’t everywhere — adding dollar stores could reduce average distance to vaccination by 62%
The Case for Field Experiments in Behavioral Research
Nudges already proven to work in the real-world increased uptake of COVID-19 boosters; nudges based on lab findings and expert insights, not so much
Texting Our Way Closer to Herd Immunity
A simple message with a behavioral nudge boosts vaccination rate
Shaming Smokers Actually Increases Their Urge to Light Up
Being stigmatized by stereotype feeds anxiety and depletes self-control
Public Disclosure of Drug Company Gifts: High-Prescribing Physicians Unaffected
The average doctor, following sunshine laws, writes fewer Rx’s for marketed medicines
Philadelphia’s Soda Tax Is Nearly Perfect for Maximizing Revenue
It’s less successful at curbing consumption so buyers shop outside the city
Patience Is a Virtue — Up to a Certain Point
The happiest people are moderately patient, not into extreme delayed gratification
Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Better Care of Your Future Self
Hal Hershfield’s book offers research-backed methods to build a healthier, happier, more financially secure life
Orphan Drugs: An Expert Pricing Panel Could Bring Benefits
The goal is continued development of new drugs and reduction of often shocking prices
Nursing Home Industry Profits Obscured by Related-Party Transactions
Management and real estate deals to owners’ firms siphon off most profits