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Understanding Demand for COVID-19 Antibody Testing

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  • Serra-Garcia, Marta
  • Szech, Nora

Abstract

We study individual demand for COVID-19 antibody tests in an incentivized study on a representative sample of the US population. Almost 2,000 participants trade off obtaining an athome test kit against money. At prices close to zero, 80 percent of individuals want the test. However, this broad support of testing falls sharply with price. Demand decreases by 19 percentage points per $10 price increase. Demand for testing increases with factors related to its potential value, such as age, increased length and strength of protective immunity from antibodies, and greater uncertainty about having had the virus. Willingness to pay for antibody tests also depends on income, ethnicity and political views. Black respondents show significantly lower demand than white and Hispanic respondents, and Trump-supporters demonstrate significantly lower demand for testing. The results suggest that charging even moderate prices for antibody tests could widen health inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Serra-Garcia, Marta & Szech, Nora, 2021. "Understanding Demand for COVID-19 Antibody Testing," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242410, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc21:242410
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    1. Marta Serra-Garcia & Nora Szech, 2020. "Demand for Covid-19 Antibody Testing, and Why It Should Be Free," CESifo Working Paper Series 8340, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Coronavirus; COVID-19; Antibody Tests; Information Preferences; Beliefs; Uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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