Health
Project
INVITED EDITOR
Editorial from
Nova SBE Behavioral Lab
The research team for this project includes the co-director of the Nova SBE Behavioral Lab, Irene Consiglio (Nova SBE), the consumer behavior researcher, Dr. Sofia Kousi (Nova SBE), and Dr. Anne-Laure Sellier (HEC), who is a specialist in cognitive biases.
July 16, 2024
3. Good health and well-being

3. Good health and well-being

Ensuring access to quality health and promoting well-being for all, at all ages
LEARN MORE

Reducing biased information processing to increase compliance with measures recommended by the NHS for the prevention of Covid-19

The Nova SBE Behavioral Lab explored how a cognitive bias - called confirmation bias - affects people's decision to follow the SNS recommendations regarding the prevention of COVID-19 and teste da simple and economical intervention to improve the compliance rate.

The Nova SBE Behavioral Lab explored how a cognitive bias - called confirmation bias - affects people's decision to follow the SNS recommendations regarding the prevention of COVID-19 and teste da simple and economical intervention to improve the compliance rate. Confirmation bias tends to look for information to support pre-existing opinions and ignore or minimize the importance of contrary information leading to decision-making errors, including in health-related decisions. For example, there is a skewed selection of data on vaccinations, which contributes to the decision against them). Confirmation bias is a critical issue in the current context, since information of varying quality reaches people through different channels. A biased selection of information can cause the execution of minor preventive measures or wrong measures.

This research aims to test an intervention, previously validated, that reduces the confirmation bias. The intervention, made through a short video, has already shown good results in the laboratory, with positive effects, in the short and long term, on the quality of decision making. However, it has never been tested in a concrete crisis situation. It is expected that, if there is no stimulation to the selection of information related to COVID-19, the autonomous implementation of the correct prevention measures will improve. Data analysis is still ongoing and the final results will be announced in December. The initial exploratory results indicate that the intervention successfully reduces the confirmation bias and impacts the type and quality of the sources that people consult to stay informed about the pandemic. For example, biased people were also the most likely to consult official health sources later.

We are preparing a follow-up study focusing specifically on masks' use, since the adoption of this measure is essential although there are still those who are still opposed to it. We want to further test whether carrying out a similar bias removal intervention among people who oppose using masks would encourage them to spontaneously consult better sources and be more in favor or not of using them.

Link: https://www2.novasbe.unl.pt/en/community/labs-hubs/behavioral-lab/overview

Nova SBE Behavioral Lab
The research team for this project includes the co-director of the Nova SBE Behavioral Lab, Irene Consiglio (Nova SBE), the consumer behavior researcher, Dr. Sofia Kousi (Nova SBE), and Dr. Anne-Laure Sellier (HEC), who is a specialist in cognitive biases.
LEARN MORE
SHARE

Keep reading

Conquering Cancer: Mission Impossible

Pedro Pita Barros, Nova SBE Health Economics & Management KC Scientific Director, is a member of the Mission Board for EU Mission on Cancer, developed under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation with an ambitious goal: “By 2030, more than 3 million lives saved, living longer and better”.

No to fake news, yes to scientific evidence

It is important to recognize the potential of technology in the contribution it can make to increase health literacy. However, as with the news, one must look at the source of the content and say: no to fake news, yes to scientific evidence.

Effects of change in hospital treatment payment policy for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon: a health economics analysis

Sara Almeida, Nova SBE PhD student, together with Gloria Paolucci and Seita Akihiro, from the Department of Health, UNRWA, and Hala Ghattas, from the Centre for Research in Population and Health, American University of Beirut, developed this research paper.

The promise of a family doctor for all, a complex undertaking – why are we still so far?

What we know so far, and what are the factors behind this issue. Let’s look at the numbers!

THE CHOICES OF

Nova SBE awarded at the 1st edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards

Professors Miguel Ferreira and José Tavares and Nova SBE PhD student Sharmin Sazedj were awarded the first edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards, where they represented Nova SBE

Subscribe our weekly newsletter

By subscribing to the Nova SBE Role to Play newsletter, you can stay up-to-date on the latest articles posted on the website.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

We all have a role to play

We are on a mission to be a community dedicated to the development of talent and knowledge that impacts the world.

With just ten years to go, an ambitious global effort is underway to deliver the 2030 promise. We want to take a stand and we are calling on our community to showcase how they are contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, whilst influencing more and more people to unravel their role to play.

Here, you will find four different ways your ideas can flourish, dialogue can be enhanced, and action can take place. You can choose one or all four, and Nova SBE will be there to support you all the way and guarantee tangible change.

We all have a role to play, and this is your way in.