Replication data for: Optimal Expectations and Limited Medical Testing: Evidence from Huntington Disease

Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s) Emily Oster; Ira Shoulson; E. Ray Dorsey

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Project Citation:

Oster, Emily, Shoulson, Ira, and Dorsey, E. Ray. Replication data for: Optimal Expectations and Limited Medical Testing: Evidence from Huntington Disease. Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2013. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2019-10-11. https://doi.org/10.3886/E112604V1

Project Description

Summary: We use novel data to study genetic testing among individuals at risk for Huntington disease (HD), a hereditary disease with limited life expectancy. Although genetic testing is perfectly predictive and carries little economic cost, presymptomatic testing is rare. Testing rates increase with increases in ex ante risk of having HD. Untested individuals express optimistic beliefs about their health and make decisions (e.g., retirement) as if they do not have HD, even though individuals with confirmed HD behave differently. We suggest that these facts can be reconciled by an optimal expectations model (Brunnermeier and Parker 2005). (JEL D84, I12)

Scope of Project

JEL Classification:
D84 Expectations; Speculations
I12 Health Behavior

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Published Versions

V1 [2019-10-11]

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DDI 2.5

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