Behavioral economics to improve lifestyle choices and to reduce risk factors

Abstract

A large part of morbimortality is caused by lifestyle habits and modifiable risk factors. A promising strategy to promote the change of such factors is the implementation of public health interventions based on behavioral economics, a discipline that combines psychological and economic principles. In the present article, we focus on a type of intervention known as “nudge” (that has been translated into Spanish as empujón or acicate), that changes behaviour without limiting the individual's choice. We analyze the properties that characterize nudges, and several areas in which they have been successfully implemented: vaccination, nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation and drug prescription. We conclude that behavioural economics and nudges have great potential for their implementation in the public health sphere in Spain.