The relationship between public risk preference and the underuse or overuse of preventive health services in the information age
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The underuse or overuse of preventive health services by individuals is an outward behavioural reflection of their attitude towards disease risk, and they are strongly influenced by their information-acquisition ability. Therefore, we try to explore the relationship among the public risk preference, information-acquisition ability and underuse or overuse of preventive health services, in order to provide decision-making basis in the Information Age. The survey surveyed 2,211 respondents aged ≥ 18 in China from September to December 2019. Taking cancer screening as an example, the multiple price list (MPL) test and item response theory (IRT) model were used to measure individual risk preference and information-acquisition ability. The Logit model and Tobit model were used to estimate the relationship between risk preference, information-acquisition ability and underuse or overuse of preventive health services. Risk-seeking individuals were more likely to underuse preventive health services, while risk-averse individuals were more likely to overuse such services. Information-acquisition ability may improve the underuse of preventive health services in risk-seeking individuals but exacerbate the overuse of preventive health services in risk-averse individuals. Among the investigated information channels, the Internet is the most effective way for the public to obtain information. It is necessary to change the public's incorrect perception of disease risks and risks associated with preventive health services. In the rapid development of the Information Age, improving public information-acquisition ability is a practicable way to correct the negative relationship between risk preference and individuals' underuse or overuse of preventive health services.
Source: Preventive Medicine Reports
Authors: Jiao Lu, Yanan Dong, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Yuan Wang, Zhongliang Zhou
Institutions: Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shanxi Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: General Decision Sciences
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,720
Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Humanities and Social Science Fund of Ministry of Education of China, Science Foundation of Ministry of Education of China
OpenAlex ID: W4394795387