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Prompted Choice and Organ Donor Registrations: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Omar Martin Fieles-Ahmad
  • Selina Schulze Spüntrup

Abstract

We examine the effects of introducing prompted choice on organ donation behavior. Applying a generalized difference-in-differences design, we take advantage of the gradual roll-out of a policy in Italy that integrated the question of organ donation preference into the process of identity card renewal. Our findings show that municipalities prompting the question saw a signifcant increase in consent registrations, although individuals retained the option to abstain from making a choice. We also provide novel evidence that regions with higher levels of registered consent have higher cadaveric organ donation rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Omar Martin Fieles-Ahmad & Selina Schulze Spüntrup, 2026. "Prompted Choice and Organ Donor Registrations: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Italy," ifo Working Paper Series 425, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_425
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michelle Z Yang & Paschal Sheeran, 2024. "Who follows through? Different factors predict initial commitment vs. Following through in a national survey of organ donor registration," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Byrne, Margaret M. & Thompson, Peter, 2001. "A positive analysis of financial incentives for cadaveric organ donation," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 69-83, January.
    3. Abadie, Alberto & Gay, Sebastien, 2006. "The impact of presumed consent legislation on cadaveric organ donation: A cross-country study," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 599-620, July.
    4. Fırat Bilgel, 2012. "The impact of presumed consent laws and institutions on deceased organ donation," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 13(1), pages 29-38, February.
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