We study how social proximity between the sender and the receiver of information shapes the effectiveness of preventive health campaigns. Focusing on shared religious affiliation as a signal of proximity, we implemented a field experiment during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in two...

We study how social proximity between the sender and the receiver of information shapes the effectiveness of preventive health behaviour campaigns and the persistence of misinformation. We implement a field experiment among a representative sample of slum residents in two major Indian cities...

We consider the largely unexpected shock caused by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India to assess whether major crises that impact the well-being of a large number of individuals can be catalysts for civic activism. Exploiting state-level variation in COVID-19 peaks and...

The growing number of older adults due to the demographic transition has brought about a complex change in health and disease patterns. Depression is common among older adults, linked to cognitive impairment and reduced physical activity. Little is known about the relationship between social...

This paper frames the state of mental health policy in India in terms of seven sets of questions, and seeks to provide at least partial answers to these questions, based on a meta-analysis of existing research. Given the complexity of the subject, this paper is meant to serve more as a framing...

The purpose of this paper is to construct a relative performance index for the States in India in terms of their performance in combatting Covid-19 pandemic. The data is analyzed up to August, 2020, though the methodology used can be readily extended to update the index. The methodology can be...

An Unequal Recovery – The Income and Employment Fallout of the Pandemic -- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on India’s Financial Sector -- Macroeconomic Performance During COVID Recession and Recovery -- Impact of COVID‑19 on agricultural markets: assessing the roles of commodity...

The paper examines the prevalence of depression and clinical depression among the elderly in India across groups with distinct social identities, where social identities are defined by caste and religious affiliations. Using nationally representative data, the study reveals no- table...