Dr. Rigoberto Lopez, Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut
Seminar Title: “Learning to Be Healthier: Health Shocks and Diet Quality”
Abstract:
Understanding the importance of learning in inducing individuals to adopt healthier diets, often triggered by health shocks, is essential for designing effective public health policies. In this article, we test for alternative explanations of changes in diet quality during the COVID-19 pandemic using data from nearly one million restaurant delivery orders in China. Although we find an initial deterioration of the diet, our empirical findings strongly support learning in explaining persistent improvements in diet quality after the pandemic came under control. We conclude that when health shocks occur, policy makers can boost relevant learning by promoting information and education to improve individuals’ awareness of preventive health behaviors of a more permanent nature, including persistent changes in diet and wellness behaviors.
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020
2:30pm – 3:30pm (EST)
*Link to Join*:
https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/uconn-cmr/j.php?MTID=md4336ac1e013946cbc398a1389fdb91d
Meeting number (access code): 120 512 0834
Meeting password: b87mJ63TMFP
For more information, contact: Tatiana Andreyeva at tatiana.andreyeva@uconn.edu