TED Talks Daily For better health care, embrace irrationality | David Asch
Nov 19, 2019
David Asch, a behavioral economist and health policy expert, delves into the quirks of our decision-making processes in healthcare. He humorously illustrates why we often make poor choices, like ignoring seatbelt rules despite knowing better. Asch emphasizes the power of harnessing our predictable irrationality to improve health behaviors. He shares insights on how understanding emotions and motivations can lead to better adherence to health protocols, paving the way for significant healthcare reform.
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The Corzine Seatbelt Story
- Former New Jersey Governor John Corzine was in a severe car accident but wasn't wearing a seatbelt, despite knowing the risks.
- This highlights the gap between knowledge and behavior in health decisions.
Knowledge vs. Behavior
- Simply providing information isn't enough to change health behavior.
- People often know what's best but struggle to act accordingly, creating a 'behavior deficit'.
Predictable Irrationality
- Behavioral economics shows we're irrational but in predictable ways.
- Recognizing these patterns allows for designing strategies that help people make better health choices.