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Financial vulnerability may discourage positive negotiation strategies

Research suggests that people who feel financially vulnerable are more likely to approach economic exchanges with a zero-sum mindset, overlooking cooperative and mutually beneficial options. This can perpetuate their financial disadvantage. Negotiation training programs may help them recognize potential for cooperative exchanges.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJun 13, 2019

How common are advanced care planning conversations with hospitalized, older patients?

Advance care planning conversations with hospitalized, older patients are infrequent due to emotional challenges and physician reluctance. Despite training and financial incentives, only a quarter of physicians regularly document ACP conversations, leaving many patients without input on end-of-life care.

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

Sacrificing the climate for reelections

A new study suggests that incumbent politicians often negotiate weak treaties to improve their reelection chances, rather than prioritizing effective climate change mitigation. This analysis from the Journal of Political Economy explores how domestic policymakers' incentives and election fears drive treaty outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateMar 4, 2019

New research provides guidance on how to successfully motivate California's Medicaid population to quit smoking

Researchers found that supplementing telephone counseling with access to nicotine-replacement patches and moderate financial incentives significantly improves smoking cessation outcomes in the Medi-Cal population. The study also suggests that modest financial incentives can be an effective intervention for low-income populations.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 16, 2018

Bad habits that lead to cancer, chronic disease corrected by simple lifestyle intervention

A Northwestern University study found that a lifestyle intervention using a smartphone app, activity tracker, and small financial incentive can fully normalize unhealthy behaviors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high screen time. Participants made significant improvements in their eating and exercise habits over a nine-month...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateJun 19, 2018

Getting heart disease patients to exercise: Study says wearables could help but only if money is on the line

A clinical trial by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine shows that combining wearable devices with financial incentives and personalized goal-setting increases physical activity levels in heart disease patients. The study found a significant increase in step counts, totaling about 100 miles more than the average patient in co...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJun 13, 2018

In helping smokers quit, cash is king, e-cigarettes strike out

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates, with free e-cigarettes and cessation aids offering no additional benefit. The study enrolled over 6,000 participants and found that those receiving financial rewards remained smoke-free for at leas...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Are teens more likely to take charge of their health when money is on the line?

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted a randomized control trial showing that providing small financial incentives can motivate young people to engage in daily glucose monitoring. Participants who received $60 monthly credits were nearly three times more likely to achieve daily goals, but overall gl...

Financial incentives for physicians did not increase follow-up of patients after discharge

A study published in CMAJ found that financial incentives for physicians to see patients sooner after discharge did not influence their behavior, with no significant improvement in follow-up rates. The incentive program, introduced in Ontario in 2006, aimed to reduce costly readmissions by encouraging early physician follow-up.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 2, 2017

Study shows electronic health information exchanges could cut billions in Medicare spending

A new study from the University of Notre Dame suggests that health information exchanges (HIEs) can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare, with an average annual reduction of $139 per Medicare beneficiary. The research found that HIEs are more effective in markets where providers have financial incentives to use them, and that...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateSep 13, 2017

The way of change is important!

A case study in Guangdong province finds green building development contributes to local economy but is limited by regional conditions. The research uses system dynamic theory to analyze the relationship between green building and regional economy.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Civil Engineering Journal·DateJul 21, 2017

Electric car subsidies may do more harm than good

A new study by Concordia economics professor Ian Irvine reveals that electric vehicle (EV) subsidies could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The subsidies encourage the production of more EVs but undermine efficiency requirements for conventional vehicles, resulting in a zero or negative near-term GHG benefit.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Public Policy·DateJun 7, 2017

Welfare reform that really works

Researchers found that introducing dynamic tax/sanctions and work subsidies can help people commit to long-run goals, leading to increased employment and welfare participation rates. In contrast, focusing on short-term payoffs results in reduced earnings and government expenditure.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·DateMar 30, 2017

Penn study: Friendly competition and a financial incentive increases team exercise

A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that comparing performance to peers and offering financial incentives increased physical activity among teams. The results showed that combining social comparison feedback with financial incentives led to the highest rate of achieving exercise goals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateJul 15, 2016

Insurance causes costs of services to rise

Researchers found that customers with insurance are less critical of costs, leading to overcharging and higher prices. The study showed a significant difference in repair prices, with customers with insurance paying up to €128.68 compared to €70.17 without insurance.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 28, 2016

To increase group exercise, Penn study suggests rewarding the individual and the team

A new Penn study found that team-based incentives, combining individual and team performance rewards, nearly doubled the success rate of achieving exercise goals. Participants in this combined incentive group achieved their goal 35% of the time, compared to 17-18% for control and team incentive groups.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 15, 2016

Big data analysis of state of the union remarks changes view of American History

A new study at Columbia University finds that World War I marks a significant shift in modern political thought, with keywords like 'democracy' and 'unity' emerging after 1917. The researchers analyzed nearly 1.8 million words from State of the Union addresses to chart the evolution of social and political discourses over time.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2015

What is more rewarding: A soccer goal or prize money?

A study by researchers at the University of Bonn found that brain activity in soccer players is similar when scoring a goal or winning money. Players with more egotistical personalities showed increased activity in learning and reflection regions when goals were scored after passing, not after taking the shot.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 15, 2015