Modeling dependence of health behaviors using copula-based bivariate ordered probit

Abstract

This study simultaneously determines the factors affecting each pairing of health behaviors such as alcohol-consumption and physical activity, tobacco-consumption and physical activity, and alcohol-consumption and tobacco-consumption. The measure of dependence between these pairs was quantified using the copula approach. The Copula-based Ordered Probit Model was used to control any common unobserved factors that might affect the random errors related to each pair of health behaviors. The results is more efficient parameter estimates, in terms of lower standard errors, in comparison with separate estimations. Moreover, understanding the dependencies between ordinal choices for each pair of health behaviors gives useful information for designing more efficient health care programs.