This working paper presents the findings of copy test research on consumer perceptions of heart-health claims in print advertisements for a fictitious cooking oil low in saturated fat, and a vegetable oil spread containing no trans fatty acids. FDA regulations currently ban potentially useful...

Children born in lower socioeconomic strata are more likely to engage in consumption habits that are deleterious to adult health, less likely to attain higher levels of education, and more likely to have lower income and wealth as adults. More recent epidemiological studies suggest a perhaps...

The paper reports on the results of a study of the health status of 4,917 middle age couples in the HRS. The main finding is that savings propensity appears to be a key component to health outcome. Savers make consumption choices that improve their health, accumulate fewer ailments and enjoy...

This paper uses data from the Health and Retirement Survey to measure the effects of alcohol on the incidence of morbidity and death. The study is able to reproduce the implied benefits of engaging in moderate levels of alcohol consumption, even after controlling for a large number of...

This paper exploits variation in health outcomes among middle-age men and women to better understand the "production function" by which cigarette smoking transmits harm. In short, the harm done depends on who does the smoking. Outcome is not randomly determined, but rather varies predictably...

Explains that new tax policy does not directly distort intertemporal consumption because full consumption tax treatment is afforded defined contribution plans. The impact of the rules depends on the average age of the work force and the long-term nominal interest rate.