Can nudges save lives?

Jpn Econ Rev (Oxf). 2022;73(2):245-268. doi: 10.1007/s42973-021-00095-7. Epub 2021 Sep 7.

Abstract

To assess the promotion of life saving behaviors and determine the sustainability of nudge message effects, this paper examines nudges that promote evacuation during heavy rainfall, preventative COVID-19 infection behaviors, and COVID-19 vaccination. The results showed that altruistic gain messages may have more sustained effects than others in promoting both evacuation during heavy rainfall and contact reduction behaviors as a measure against COVID-19 infection. Specifically, social influence nudges that use a gain frame to convey that a person's behavior promotes the behavior of others are effective for both heavy rainfall evacuations and encouraging COVID-19 vaccination.

Keywords: Behavioral Economics; COVID-19; Heavy rainfall evacuations; Infectious diseases; Nudge.