Principal Investigator: Joan Costa-Font
Start Date: 01 January 2024
End Date: 31 December 2025
Region: Global
Keywords: Behavioural Incentives, Healthy Ageing, Health Systems, Non-communicable Diseases
The LSE-Vitality Partnership represents a significant collaboration between LSE, Vitality UK, and the Discovery Group in South Africa. This pioneering research initiative investigates the influence of behavioural incentives on long-term health habits and outcomes. Led by Professor Joan Costa-Font, the program addresses key questions related to the effectiveness of various incentives in promoting healthy behaviours, as well as their long-term implications for health systems, non-communicable diseases, and longevity.
The program leverages an extensive and unique dataset provided by Vitality. This dataset, combined with advanced econometric and statistical analyses, enables comprehensive research into the performance and impact of behavioural incentives across a representative sample of the population. The program employs randomized controlled trials and other econometric methods to produce robust findings. It currently supports two PhD students: Kay-leigh Sussman, who has a unique background in behavioural economics and played a key role in co-ordinating this collaborative venture from its inception, and Pauline Pearcy who has a data science and health insurance background and has worked as a researcher for other related LSE Health projects. Finally, the program is completed by the addition of a postdoctoral researcher, Dr Nilesh Raut who focuses on the effects of exercise on ageing. Altogether, the program involves interdisciplinary research across several LSE departments.
The LSE-Vitality Partnership exemplifies the intersection of academic research and practical impact, advancing the field of behavioural economics and health policy through innovative use of novel data sources.
Vitality announces the findings of the report in a press release on 24 March 2024.
Read the white paper in full here.