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Time preference and health behaviour: A review

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  • Lawless, Lydia J.R.
  • Nayga, Rodolfo
  • Drichoutis, Andreas

Abstract

Time preferences indicate preferences over streams of future consumption which significantly shape individual decision making including the health domain. In this paper, we review published studies to assess the influence of time preferences on human health behaviour. We first discuss the theoretical background of time preferences; ascertain the differences between private and social discount rates; identify the impact of time preferences on governments of developing nations; and then assess how time preferences influence risky behaviour such as being overweight, smoking, and engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The issue of whether to use proxies or experimental time preference elicitation methods in time preference studies is also addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawless, Lydia J.R. & Nayga, Rodolfo & Drichoutis, Andreas, 2013. "Time preference and health behaviour: A review," MPRA Paper 45382, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:45382
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    time preference; health domain; risk aversion; discount rate; behaviour;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • I0 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General

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