Directed Reading

Low Hanging Fruit for Better (Global Health)

1- What are the low hanging fruits and do people use them?
THE HEALTH TRAP

2- Describe the health-based poverty trap described in the book.

3- Why is it considered good news to have poverty trap?

4- What would skeptics of the health-based poverty trap argue?

5- Is the work of Gram Vikas in Orissa based on the assumption that there is a trap?

WHY AREN’T THESE TECHNOLOGIES USED MORE?

Underutilized Miracles

6- Provide an argument that would contradict the presence of a health-based poverty trap.

7- What are the authors suggesting as the main reason for the persistence of the trap?

The Desire for Better Health

8- Do poor people spend little on health at all times? Explain.

Money for Nothing

9- Describe the health seeking behaviour of the poor that is when they seek health care
who do they turn to? What are the potential issues arising from such health seeking
behaviour?

10- The section title is money for nothing. Why do you think that the authors chose this
title?

Are Governments to Blame?

11- What is the role of the government in preventative measures? What is the specific
example used to justify the blame on governments?

12- What is the 3-3-3 rule? What does it reflect? Does it apply to the public sector as well?
13- Is the issue we are dealing with a supply side issue only?

UNDERSTANDING HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR

Does Free Means Worthless?

14- What is the difference between sunk costs and psychological sunk costs? Is there any
empirical evidence for the presence of psychological sunk costs?

15- Explain what is the rationale behind subsidizing some of the preventive care?

Faith?

16- Give an example about how beliefs and faith in the health care system affect the way
we use it.

17- Explain how correlation vs causation can play a role in clouding people’s judgement
about the efficacy of a treatment that may have zero effect. (hint: this is a bit longer
than two sentences)

Weak Beliefs and Necessity of Hope

18- Explain why it is unlikely that believes are the main driver behind the absence of
preventative care.

New Year’s Resolution

19- What is time inconsistency? How can you use it to explain to immunize your child if you
are given a small incentive?

20- What are nudges and how can they help in taking the right decision?

Nudging or Convincing?

21- State two benefits of Nudging.

THE VIEW FROM OUR COUCH

To be read independently.