Resources Repository
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Tutorial/PrimerPublication, Teaching Resource 2015White Paper: Retrospective Benefit-Cost Analysis
In this article the authors consider how benefit-cost analysis can be used retrospectively to promote …
In this article the authors consider how benefit-cost analysis can be used retrospectively to promote understanding of the impacts after a policy is implemented. Serving as a brief primer, the authors propose that analysis can be useful for identifying needed reforms as well as in improving the conduct of future prospective analyses. The major challenges relate to estimating what would have occurred in the absence of the policy and separating the effects of the policy…
Priority Setting/Ethics | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Social Determinants | Environmental Health | Policy/Regulation | Culture/Society | Economics/Finance | Government/Law | North America | College | Graduate | Doctoral | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Policy Translation -
ArticlePublication 2013Using Occupational Injury Data to Estimate VSL
This article discusses the use of occupational fatality rate data to estimate the additional pay …
This article discusses the use of occupational fatality rate data to estimate the additional pay workers receive for bearing greater risks, while controlling for other aspects of the job and characteristics of the worker. This tradeoff rate is typically referenced as the value of a statistical life (VSL). The extensive U.S. labor market literature generating VSL estimates has utilized several fatality rate measures which are typically matched to employment information on workers from large datasets.…
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
ArticlePublication 2013Valuing Health Risk Reductions
In this article, the authors discuss how to value risk reductions in the context of …
In this article, the authors discuss how to value risk reductions in the context of benefit-cost analysis. Many public policies and private actions affect the risk of injury, illness, or death, yet changes in these risks are not easily valued using market prices. The authors begin with a pragmatic focus, describing the analytic framework and the approaches currently used for valuation, including estimates of willingness to pay (WTP), cost of illness (COI), and monetized quality-adjusted…
Preferences/Values | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Policy/Regulation | College | Graduate | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
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 -
Online LearningVideo, Teaching Resource 2011TED Talk. Beware Conflicts of Interest
In this short TED talk, "Beware Conflicts of Interest," psychologist Dan Ariely tells two personal …
In this short TED talk, "Beware Conflicts of Interest," psychologist Dan Ariely tells two personal stories that explore scientific conflict of interest: How the pursuit of knowledge and insight can be affected, consciously or not, by shortsighted personal goals. When we're thinking about the big questions, he reminds us, let's be aware of our all-too-human brains. Access the video. Beware Conflicts of Interest (~5 min) TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas about a diverse range…
Decision Psychology | Preferences/Values | High School | College | Graduate | Doctoral | Professional | Decision Making/Leadership -
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