What sparked your interest in economic policies aimed at improving household nutrition?
“The ways in which information can influence consumers’ decision-making processes are both fascinating and crucial. Understanding these thought patterns, and more importantly identifying where poor decisions are being made, is vital for both public health and social welfare. I am particularly interested in advancing policies that help individuals make decisions aligned with long-term health considerations.
My Ph.D. research focused on the role of mass media in disseminating information regarding food-related health risks. Specifically, I examined the effect of the unique warning issued by the Cancer Agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 26th, 2015, which classified processed meats as carcinogenic to humans (group 1 carcinogens) and red meats as probably carcinogenic to humans (group 2A), in Israel. This warning is particularly interesting because it serves as a natural experiment, enabling me to examine how the disclosure of scientific information affects consumer preferences for potentially hazardous foods and the extent to which individuals adhere to food consumption recommendations without further policy intervention.
I found that the WHO warning caused a negative, sizable, statistically significant, and persistent change in the equilibrium quantities of processed meats in Israel, which have dropped by 18%. The effect lasts for at least two years, long after media coverage has faded. The response is affected by income, ethnicity, and education. Low-income households and immigrants from the former USSR did not significantly respond to the warning. The response of households with elementary education-only did not last long. Demand estimation reveals that taste-change is the economic mechanism responsible for the reduction in consumption. The response is governed by households’ ex-ante tastes. The stronger the taste for processed meat, the weaker the intensity of the response. By comparing the perceived and actual indirect health costs of processed meat consumption, I conclude that the warning effectively internalized the cancer-related risks into Israeli consumers’ decision-making regarding processed meat consumption.”
What is the main focus of your Postdoc work?
“Several months ago, I began my post-doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Timothy Beatty in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Davis. My research examines how would the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments be affected if they were efficiently calculated using equivalence scales.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a US federal assistance program designed to alleviate food insecurity by providing low-income households with financial resources to purchase healthy food. SNAP is one of the largest safety net programs in the US and plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. In 2023, the program had a budget of $113 billion. However, despite its large budget, SNAP allotments may not be determined in an economically optimal way. This may lead to inefficiencies, with some families receiving more than necessary to achieve food security, while others receive less.
To assess the optimality of SNAP allotments across different household types, we calculate equivalence scales. An equivalence scale is a vector of values such that dividing a household’s income by the corresponding scale results in an income level equivalent to that of the reference household type, while accounting for economies of scale. In theory, equivalent income ensures that the same level of utility is maintained across different household types. Once the equivalence scale is determined, adjusting income compensation to ensure consistent well-being across different household types is straightforward. Nevertheless, determining the “right” allotments is a moral question, one that inevitably creates winners and losers. Our goal is to identify a solution that aligns as closely as possible with the maximization of social welfare.
This research appeals to me because, on one hand, it utilizes methods at the forefront of applied microeconomics literature, while on the other hand, it addresses a critically important nutritional program that impacts the lives of over 40 million Americans, primarily from lower socio-economic backgrounds. I hope that my findings will contribute to enhancing food security for the most vulnerable households”
What tip would you give someone prior to their postdoctoral research?
“The best tip I can give is to choose your mentor carefully, as she/he will play a crucial role in both the success of your research and the next steps in your academic career. Make sure that your supervisor’s interests align with yours and that the collaboration benefits both of you. Additionally, be prepared to work hard to push the research forward and make the most of your time to learn as much as possible. I believe that if you succeed in this, it can serve as an excellent steppingstone toward producing high-quality research”
What are your plans after your postdoctoral research?
“I hope to continue my research, which blends consumer theory and applied economics, with the aim of helping policymakers implement policies that foster adequate food consumption and improve overall well-being. My primary plan after completing my postdoc research is to return to Israel and pursue a position as a researcher in academia, ideally within the Department of Environmental Economics at the Hebrew University.”