CHDS Seminar with Arthur Attema: “Time Preferences and COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy”

Abstract:

This global survey from July 2022 to June 2023 explores individual attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. While no present bias is evident, there’s substantial cross-country variation in discount rates. Hesitant respondents show higher discount rates than vaccinated individuals, who, in turn, have higher rates than refusers. The relationship between discounting and vaccination choice varies among countries. Discounting moderately explains vaccination behavior, with notable differences across nations. The high discount rate among hesitant people may cause them to undervalue future COVID-19 consequences.

Bio:

Arthur E. Attema is associate professor in health economics and utility theory at the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM) in Rotterdam. His main research interests include behavioral and experimental health economics, utility measurement, and intertemporal choice. He is an associate editor for Journal of Health Economics and Theory and Decision, member of the management board of the Behavioral Experiments in Health Network (BEHnet), and chairman of the ESHPM Research Ethics Review Committee.