Resources Repository
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ArticlePublication 2012Expert Elicitation of VSL
This article uses expert elicitation to address the monetary value of avoided premature mortality, which …
This article uses expert elicitation to address the monetary value of avoided premature mortality, which typically dominates the quantified benefits of air pollution regulations. Formal expert elicitation methods are one means of characterizing associated uncertainties. The authors undertake a pilot study that elicits quantitative probabilistic judgments of uncertainties in value per statistical life (VSL) estimates for use in an air pollution context. The two-stage elicitation addresses uncertainties in both a base case VSL for a…
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
ReportPublication 2012Mortality Risks in Environment, Health and Transport
This report presents a major meta-analysis of value of a statistical life (VSL) estimates derived …
This report presents a major meta-analysis of value of a statistical life (VSL) estimates derived from surveys around the world. The analysis seeks to explain the differences in the estimates, for example across countries. Differences in incomes and the magnitude of the risk reduction were found to be the factors having the strongest impact, but numerous other policy-relevant factors are also important. The report also presents advice on how VSL estimates can be best used…
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
ArticlePublication 2011Valuing Mortality Risk Reductions: Progress and Challenges
This article focuses on the value of mortality risk reduction, an important component of the …
This article focuses on the value of mortality risk reduction, an important component of the benefits estimates for environmental policies. In recent years, the number, scope, and quality of valuation studies have increased dramatically. Revealed-preference studies of wage compensation for occupational risks, on which analysts have primarily relied, have benefited from improved data and statistical methods. Stated-preference research has improved methodologically and expanded dramatically. In these studies, researchers have explored many issues concerning the validity…
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
Lesson/ModuleWeb Portal, Teaching Resource 2011“Eating Bacon Sandwiches is Bad for You!” Evaluating Risk
This packet of lessons on evaluating risk contains videos, activities, worksheets, notes, and answers on …
This packet of lessons on evaluating risk contains videos, activities, worksheets, notes, and answers on analyzing statistical data. Using mathematics, these exercises engage students by tackling real world issues in health decision-making, such as the risk of eating bacon sandwiches. These activities are recommended to be used together but can also be used independently. They are aimed at a high school learning level and higher.
Decision Analysis | Chronic Disease/Risk | Health/Medicine | High School | College | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Quantitative Literacy -
Lesson/ModuleWeb Portal, Teaching Resource 2011Epidemics: Modelling with Mathematics
This learning module explores mathematically modeling disease epidemics. Through video clips, Dr. Julia Gog and …
This learning module explores mathematically modeling disease epidemics. Through video clips, Dr. Julia Gog and Dr. Andrew Conlan explain simple mathematical models for how disease spreads through populations, and how these models can be built upon for more complex modelling. These models can be used to predict epidemics, and in turn, help to mitigate their risks. Related resources, such as activities, worksheets, and presentations, are available to help students investigate mathematical modelling. These activities are…
Mathematical Models | Infectious Diseases | Health/Medicine | Science/Technology | Global | High School | College | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership -
ArticlePublication 2010Valuing Environment-Related Health Risks for Children
This report is the final output of the OECD Valuation of Environment-Related Health Impacts (VERHI) …
This report is the final output of the OECD Valuation of Environment-Related Health Impacts (VERHI) project and presents new research findings. The authors estimate a value per statistical life (VSL) for children and adults based on surveys conducted in the Czech Republic, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
Online LearningVideo, Teaching Resource 2010TED Talk. The Art of Choosing
In this talk, Sheena Iyengar challenges three key assumptions of the standard economic model of …
In this talk, Sheena Iyengar challenges three key assumptions of the standard economic model of choice: 1) that it is always in the individual’s best interests to choose for themselves, 2) that more choice are always better, and 3) that we should never say no to choice. In particular, she highlights differences in the way people view choice in the US and in other parts of the world. Iyengar argues that if we were to…
Decision Psychology | Preferences/Values | Child/Nutrition | Education/Labor | High School | College | Graduate | Doctoral | Professional | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership -
Online LearningVideo, Teaching Resource 2010TED Talk. The Riddle of Experience vs. Memory
In recent years, much attention has been devoted to the study of happiness, yet Daniel …
In recent years, much attention has been devoted to the study of happiness, yet Daniel Kahneman argues that there is confusion around defining happiness or well-being. He distinguishes between the happiness of our “experiencing selves” (whether we are happy in the moment) and our “remembering selves” (whether we are happy with the state of our lives on reflection). When we make choices, therefore, our decisions may be biased toward pleasing either the experiencing or remembering…
Decision Psychology | Preferences/Values | Chronic Disease/Risk | Culture/Society | Health/Medicine | High School | College | Graduate | Doctoral | Professional | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership -
Online LearningVideo, Teaching Resource 2008TED Talk. Are We in Control of Our Own Decisions?
The field of behavioral economics helps to explain human decision making that would be deemed …
The field of behavioral economics helps to explain human decision making that would be deemed irrational by standard economic models. Dan Ariely begins this talk by presenting visual illusions, followed by the analogy that humans face similar illusions regarding our behavior. He focuses on how setting a “default” option can substantially influence our choices, especially when decisions are complex. He illustrates his points with examples from health and other fields. Access the video. Are We in…
Decision Psychology | Business/Industry | Economics/Finance | Health/Medicine | High School | College | Graduate | Doctoral | Professional | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership