Estimating the Impact of Medication on Diabetics' Diet and Lifestyle Choices

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate how differences in diet quality, physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and bodyweight correlate with whether or not an individual has been diagnosed with diabetes, and whether or not an individual uses medication to manage his or her health condition. Knowing if and how individuals choose to substitute medication for adopting a better diet or a healthier lifestyle provides insight into the welfare effects of changing access to prescribed medication and other proposed interventions to improve diet and health. Knowing how behaviors correlate with socio-economic characteristics also sheds light on ways to improve the efficacy of public health education.Health Economics and Policy,