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Does Promoting One Healthy Behavior Detract from Others? Evidence from a Field Experiment

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  • Hannah Trachtman

Abstract

Impact evaluations of behavioral interventions typically focus on target outcomes. Might interventions induce negative spillovers on other behaviors? I run a large field experiment in which individuals receive combinations of messages and incentives promoting two healthy behaviors, meditation and meal logging. I find that the interventions reduce completion rates of the opposite behavior by 19–29 percent. I find that interventions with larger target effects do not necessarily generate larger negative spillovers, and demonstrate implications for cost-effectiveness analysis. I investigate the mechanisms behind the observed spillovers.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Trachtman, 2024. "Does Promoting One Healthy Behavior Detract from Others? Evidence from a Field Experiment," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 16(2), pages 249-277, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:249-77
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20210788
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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