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Paying Adolescents for Health Screenings Works

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Halla
  • Gerald J. Pruckner
  • Thomas Schober

Abstract

With regard to their future health, adolescents are at a critical stage. Previous evaluations have shown that health screenings, counseling, and other intervention programs during this phase of life are important, particularly for those with a low socioeconomic background. Unfortunately, adolescents tend to have little interest in preventive programs. We designed a field experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives to promote participation in health screenings. Our study comprises more than 10,000 participants, observed via high-quality administrative data from Austria. The treatment group received a €40 shopping voucher if they participated in an age-specific health screening. On average, the financial incentive increased the likelihood of participation by 280 percent. Treatment effects are comparably larger for children in families with a higher socioeconomic status, and of parents with a revealed preference for secondary health prevention.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Halla & Gerald J. Pruckner & Thomas Schober, 2022. "Paying Adolescents for Health Screenings Works," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(4), pages 534-548.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:amjhec:doi:10.1086/721571
    DOI: 10.1086/721571
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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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