221.617.01
Behavioral Economics in Health Decisions
Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
In-person
Friday, 10:00 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Introduction to Microeconomics (313.639) and Biostatistics (140.611 or 140.621) or equivalent
Enrollment Restriction
This course is not restricted.
Introduces the power of behavioral economics in shaping public health. Explores how people make decisions—fast and slow—under the influence of cognitive biases, mental models, agency effect, social norms, trust, and information environments by moving beyond classical models of “rational choice,”. Examines how nudges, framing, agency, and incentives can be harnessed to design effective and fair public health strategies. Gives special attention to contemporary challenges, including the role of algorithms in shaping health behavior, the limits of AI-driven decision support, and the impact of social media on mental health. Focuses on crafting behavioral interventions that are innovative, ethical, and impactful through case studies spanning low- and high-income contexts.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Apply behavioral economics concepts—such as system 1 and system 2 thinking, prospect theory, framing effects, and nudges—to real-world public health challenges
- Assess the role of trust, agency, and fairness in designing and evaluating health policies and interventions
- Critically analyze how algorithms, public information campaigns, and social media influence health behavior and mental well-being
- Design practical behavioral interventions across global contexts, from helmet campaigns in LMICs, pricing of high cost medicines, to framing healthy food choices in high-income settings
- Integrate economic reasoning with behavioral insights to create policies that are both effective and equitable
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 40% Discussion
- 60% Final Paper