We extend the recent literature on peer effects to test the possible role of asymmetric social influences in the determination of youth smoking. We analyzed cigarette smoking among people aged 15-24 in approximately 90,000 households in the 1992-1999 U.S. Current Population Surveys. The presence...

Ranking of health care centres, clinical services and health professionals by quality has become an usual practice. Ranking health care providers has implications on funding and management. The purpose of ranking by quality is to improve effectiveness and effi ciency. But the ranking information...