The Value We Place on Life, with Howard Friedman

How much is your life worth? And why?

Everyday decisions made by governments, businesses and individuals place a price on human life.

Your personal price tag is made up of the economic and social value, but the calculations behind these figures can be complex.

My guest on the podcast today is data scientist and health economist Howard Friedman.

His academic work includes teaching at data science, statistics, and program evaluation at Columbia University.

Howard has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific articles and book chapters in areas of applied statistics, health economics and politics.

In his new book, Ultimate Price: The Value We Place on Life, he explains in simple terms how economists, corporations, regulators, and insurance companies make and use these price tags. He illustrates how chauvinistic, white supremacist, or elitist values are reflected in the value we place on life.

Here’s my conversation with Howard Friedman, author of Ultimate Price, in episode 495 of Informed Choice Radio.