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Public health shocks, learning and diet improvement

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  • Gao, Yuan
  • Lopez, Rigoberto A.
  • Liao, Ruili
  • Liu, Xiaoou

Abstract

Many governments aim to mitigate health risks by attacking nutritional failures. In this article, we exploit a unique natural experiment, the COVID-19 pandemic as an exogenous public health shock, to estimate the learning effects of intensive health information campaigns on nutrient intake during the pandemic. Using data from nearly-one million food purchases in China, our empirical findings strongly support the learning effect in explaining improvements in nutrient intake in the post-COVID-19 period. We conclude that when public health shocks occur, policy makers can boost relevant learning mechanisms by promoting information and education to improve individuals’ awareness of preventive health behaviors of a more permanent nature, which can lead to health improvements in a society.

Suggested Citation

  • Gao, Yuan & Lopez, Rigoberto A. & Liao, Ruili & Liu, Xiaoou, 2022. "Public health shocks, learning and diet improvement," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:112:y:2022:i:c:s0306919222001348
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2022.102365
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