Behavioral Economics

Targeting Specific Policy InformationI am beginning targeted searches to gather necessary facts. This includes identifying the specific AMA public health goals announced in June 2025 (for the EAST framework question), researching policies implemented in successful high-income countries (Australia, Japan, etc.) to reduce preventable deaths, and searching for the healthcare research conducted by 'Erdmann' to select a suitable article for the quality improvement analysis.Plan for Economic Comparisons and Cost DriversI will simultaneously search for high-level summaries comparing US healthcare costs and structures against other nations, which will serve as the basis for Question 4. For Question 5, which requires analyzing a US cost driver, I have decided to focus initially on the issue of 'High Administrative Costs,' a common subject in Chapter 11 comparisons, to investigate potential interventions and underlying economic factors. Researching websites albany.eduMoney and Banking: Adverse Selection and Moral Hazardeconomics.mit.eduSelection on Moral Hazard in Health Insurance - MIT Economicsinvestopedia.comUnderstanding the Difference Between Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection - Investopediahopkinsmedicine.orgQuality Improvement | Johns Hopkins Medicinencbi.nlm.nih.govQuality Improvement - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelfpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govThe Main Factors of Induced Demand for Medicine Prescription: A Qualitative Study - PMCfrontiersin.orgEstablishing Economic and QI FoundationsI successfully gathered the foundational definitions for key healthcare economic concepts required across the assignment. I synthesized information clarifying the distinction and relationship between **Moral Hazard**, **Adverse Selection**, and **Asymmetric Information**, noting that both hazard and selection arise from information asymmetry. I also established the definition of **Supplier-Induced Demand** and confirmed that it is driven by providers exploiting information asymmetry for financial self-interest. Furthermore, I identified common Quality Improvement (QI) models like the **Model for Improvement** (including the **PDSA Cycle**), Lean, and Six Sigma, which are essential for analyzing the QI article in Question 1.Identifying Next Research PrioritiesWith the theoretical frameworks now secured, the research focus shifts to acquiring the specific facts needed to answer the remaining questions. I recognize the immediate need to secure the details for the public health strategy (Q2), the international policies for reducing preventable deaths (Q3), the required research article by 'Erdmann' (Q1), and the comparative data on US versus international healthcare expenditures (Q4 and Q5).Planning Immediate ActionsMy immediate plan involves several parallel searches to gather this specific data. I will be accessing the provided URL to get the AMA's 2025 public health goals and simultaneously searching for the **EAST framework**. I will also initiate searches to identify effective preventable death policies from countries like Australia and Japan. Finally, I will conduct targeted searches for 'Erdmann's' work in QI or healthcare economics and start gathering preliminary data on US administrative cost drivers to prepare for the in-depth analysis of Question 5. Researching websites thedecisionlab.comEAST Framework - The Decision Laboecd.orgAvoidable mortality (preventable and treatable): Health at a Glance 2023 | OECDglobalgoals.orgGoal 3: Good health and well-being - The Global Goalspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govThe integration of quality improvement and implementation science methods and frameworks in healthcare: a systematic review - PMCcoursicle.comHCA 6013 - Dynamics of Healthcare Markets at Oklahoma State University | Coursicle OSUhealthsystemtracker.orgHow does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries?pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govActive steps to reduce administrative spending associated with financial transactions in US health care - PubMed Centralama-assn.orgAMA adopts new public health policies to improve health of nation ...Synthesizing Economic DefinitionsI successfully synthesized the core economic concepts of **Moral Hazard**, **Adverse Selection**, and **Asymmetric Information**. The information confirms that both moral hazard (behavior change after an agreement) and adverse selection (exploiting hidden information before an agreement) are consequences of **Asymmetric Information**. Additionally, I secured the definition of **Supplier-Induced Demand**, noting its connection to providers leveraging this information gap for personal gain.QI Models and Public Health Goals ConfirmedI have also gathered sufficient information on standard Quality Improvement (QI) theories, including the **PDSA Cycle** and the **Model for Improvement**, which I will use for the analysis in Question 1. Crucially, I identified the two AMA public health goals for Question 2: reducing alcohol consumption and increasing awareness of adverse health impacts from ultraprocessed foods. The **EAST framework** (Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely) is defined and ready to be applied to create a public health strategy.

Sample Answer

Understanding the Assignment ScopeI am initiating the research process to address five interconnected questions covering quality improvement (QI) literature, public health policy strategy, international health policy comparisons regarding preventable deaths, and deep dives into healthcare market economics and cost drivers. The core task involves synthesizing external data with specific theoretical constructs and concepts, which must be clearly defined and sourced from the likely course material.Identifying Key Theoretical FrameworksTo meet the requirement of 'bolding constructs and theories,' my first priority is to establish the definitions of critical economic concepts such as **Moral Hazard**, **Asymmetric Information**, and **Supply-Induced Demand**, as well as the structure of the **EAST framework** (Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely) for developing the public health strategy. These frameworks are essential for answering questions 1, 3, 4, and 5 effectively.