Global Certificate Course in Behavioral Economics for Health Decision Making Skills
Published on June 23, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today we're excited to have Dr. Jane Smith, an expert in behavioral economics and health decision-making. She's here to talk about a new course she's teaching, the Global Certificate Course in Behavioral Economics for Health Decision Making Skills. So, Dr. Smith, can you tell us what inspired you to create this course? GUEST: Absolutely, I've seen a growing need for healthcare professionals and policymakers to understand how cognitive biases affect health choices. This course is a response to that need, aiming to equip them with the skills to design effective health interventions using behavioral insights. HOST: That's fascinating. Can you share an example of how cognitive biases can impact health decisions? GUEST: Sure, one common example is the "status quo bias". People tend to prefer things to stay as they are, even if change could lead to better health outcomes. This bias can hinder the adoption of new, more effective treatments or health behaviors. HOST: Interesting. And how does this course help overcome such challenges? GUEST: We teach decision-making frameworks and nudges that can help counteract these biases. For instance, making the healthy choice the default option is a powerful nudge that can help overcome the status quo bias. HOST: That sounds very practical. What about current trends in this field? How does the course reflect these? GUEST: We're seeing a lot of interest in using behavioral economics to improve patient engagement and public health programs. The course reflects this trend by providing real-world case studies and practical applications. HOST: And what challenges do you anticipate students might face when learning this subject? GUEST: The biggest challenge might be applying theoretical concepts to their specific contexts. That's why we've included many real-world examples and case studies to help students grasp these concepts better. HOST: That's reassuring. Finally, where do you see the future of behavioral economics in health decision-making? GUEST: I believe it will become an integral part of health policy and clinical practice. As we continue to understand how behavioral factors influence health decisions, we can design better interventions and programs to improve health outcomes. HOST: Dr. Smith, thank you for your insights and for sharing details about this exciting new course. To our listeners, if you're interested in improving health decisions, this course could be perfect for you. Discover more and register now at our website. Thanks for joining us today!
