01 August 2005
Framing health messages based on anomalies in time preference.
Monica Ortendahl, James FriesMed Sci Monit 2005; 11(8): RA253-256 :: ID: 202641
Abstract
Time discounting processes and their effects are increasingly taken intoaccount in health-related decisions. Because these effects have a potentially large impact the characteristicsof discounting should also be taken into consideration when framing health messages. Research on therelationship between time and health is discussed with a special focus on discounting biases. The criteriafor selection of articles were potential practical application when formulating health messages. Timediscounting processes vary with individuals and contexts. Therefore, no single model is expected to describediscounting processes completely. Discounting biases appear more prevalent in health decisions than ineconomic decisions, even when health and monetary outcomes are matched for utility. Research on decision-makingunder conditions of uncertainty has documented numerous anomalies of expected utility. Analysis on theanomalies related to intertemporal choice and discounted utility (DU) include the magnitude effect, dynamicinconsistency effect, instant endowment, status quo bias, and sequence effect. Discounting biases inthe formulation of preventive health messages are important. The desire for behavioral change in theseprograms would benefit from considering the psychological factor of discounting. Framing health messagesin terms of large, important outcomes or long delays should induce lower implicit discount rates. Framinghealth messages as losses rather than gains, or as involving a series of outcomes rather than individualoutcomes, might similarly lower the implicit discount rate used.
Keywords: Costs and Cost Analysis, Decision Making, Disease, Health, Time Factors, Uncertainty, Weight Loss, Costs and Cost Analysis, Decision Making, Disease, Health, Time Factors, Uncertainty, Weight Loss
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
05 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Role of Critical Shoulder Angle in Degenerative Type Rotator Cuff Tears: A Turkish Cohort StudyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943703
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952