Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
@pennchibe.bsky.social
The University of Pennsylvania's Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) is the leading scientific organization using behavioral economics to improve health. https://chibe.upenn.edu/
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We've started a CHIBE affiliate starter pack! Follow our behavioral economics-focused faculty and staff here. And if you're a CHIBE member and want to be added to the list, reach out! go.bsky.app/Dnk8L5Y
"What many people don’t realize is that the dietary guidelines aren’t just advice for individual consumers about what to eat. They provide the legal foundation on which our federal nutrition programs are based," Alyssa Moran says. www.sciencefriday.com/segments/usd...
Should Ultraprocessed Foods Be Off The Menu?
New USDA dietary guidelines tell us to “eat real food.” Should policymakers get highly processed foods out of our stores and school lunches?
www.sciencefriday.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:25 PM
"What many people don’t realize is that the dietary guidelines aren’t just advice for individual consumers about what to eat. They provide the legal foundation on which our federal nutrition programs are based," Alyssa Moran says. www.sciencefriday.com/segments/usd...
What can Medicare learn from Best Buy and Walmart? Medicare’s Prescription Payment Plan can ease high drug costs, but many beneficiaries miss out because they aren’t aware of it in time.
www.inquirer.com/health/exper...
www.inquirer.com/health/exper...
What Medicare can learn from Best Buy and Walmart | Expert Opinion
Medicare's drug payment plan is a good deal for seniors, but few know about it.
www.inquirer.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
What can Medicare learn from Best Buy and Walmart? Medicare’s Prescription Payment Plan can ease high drug costs, but many beneficiaries miss out because they aren’t aware of it in time.
www.inquirer.com/health/exper...
www.inquirer.com/health/exper...
"Effective communication requires that the person you’re communicating to leaves not thinking that *you’re* smart; you want them to leave thinking that *they* are smart and that you are trustworthy." - Emily Oster
@bcfginitiative.bsky.social
chibe.upenn.edu/blog/dr-emil...
@bcfginitiative.bsky.social
chibe.upenn.edu/blog/dr-emil...
Dr. Emily Oster on science communication: Make your audience feel smart - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
CHIBE and the Behavior Change for Good Initiative recently co-hosted a keynote conversation with Emily Oster, PhD.
chibe.upenn.edu
February 4, 2026 at 7:38 PM
"Effective communication requires that the person you’re communicating to leaves not thinking that *you’re* smart; you want them to leave thinking that *they* are smart and that you are trustworthy." - Emily Oster
@bcfginitiative.bsky.social
chibe.upenn.edu/blog/dr-emil...
@bcfginitiative.bsky.social
chibe.upenn.edu/blog/dr-emil...
States have begun banning the purchase of certain unhealthy treats with food stamps. The results have been messy, but even with the messiness, the policies could still be a net positive for the health outcomes of food-stamp recipients, says Alyssa Moran. www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
The New Food-Stamp Rules Will Make Your Head Spin
States have started banning junk food from SNAP. It’s not going according to plan.
www.theatlantic.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:10 PM
States have begun banning the purchase of certain unhealthy treats with food stamps. The results have been messy, but even with the messiness, the policies could still be a net positive for the health outcomes of food-stamp recipients, says Alyssa Moran. www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
Congrats to Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy (@hthirumurthy.bsky.social) on being named CHIBE's inaugural endowed chair! chibe.upenn.edu/news/dr-hars...
Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy named CHIBE’s Inaugural Endowed Chair - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy has been named CHIBE’s Inaugural Endowed Chair called the Founders Professorship of Population Health.
chibe.upenn.edu
February 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Congrats to Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy (@hthirumurthy.bsky.social) on being named CHIBE's inaugural endowed chair! chibe.upenn.edu/news/dr-hars...
Join us on February 3 at noon for a talk with Dr. Liz Fowler, former deputy administrator and director of the Innovation Center at CMS. Thanks to co-organizers: @pennldi.bsky.social @pennmehp.bsky.social chibe.upenn.edu/event/liz-fo...
Liz Fowler, PhD, JD│CHIBE X HP X LDI Policy Seminar - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Dr. Liz Fowler will speak to the CHIBE/HP/LDI communities at noon on 2/3/26 at a policy seminar about Health Policy at a Crossroads.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 29, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Join us on February 3 at noon for a talk with Dr. Liz Fowler, former deputy administrator and director of the Innovation Center at CMS. Thanks to co-organizers: @pennldi.bsky.social @pennmehp.bsky.social chibe.upenn.edu/event/liz-fo...
Did you miss CHIBE and @bcfginitiative.bsky.social's keynote discussion with Emily Oster? Check out the recording here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJf1...
Dr. Emily Oster joins CHIBE and BCFG for keynote discussion on communicating scientific evidence
YouTube video by UPennCHIBE
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Did you miss CHIBE and @bcfginitiative.bsky.social's keynote discussion with Emily Oster? Check out the recording here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJf1...
Reposted by Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
It was *such* a treat to co-host Emily Oster (w/ @alison-buttenheim.bsky.social) for a Zoom Q&A today on how to communicate about science with a broad audience. The highlight? Possibly the unexpected game of "Underrated/Overrated" Alison launched at the close. Here are Emily's hot takes...
January 29, 2026 at 12:48 AM
It was *such* a treat to co-host Emily Oster (w/ @alison-buttenheim.bsky.social) for a Zoom Q&A today on how to communicate about science with a broad audience. The highlight? Possibly the unexpected game of "Underrated/Overrated" Alison launched at the close. Here are Emily's hot takes...
Here's what the new dietary guidelines get right and wrong, according to Alyssa Moran, Director of Policy and Research Strategy at Penn’s Center for Food & Nutrition Policy. chibe.upenn.edu/blog/what-th...
What the new dietary guidelines get right—and wrong: insights from Dr. Alyssa Moran - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Alyssa Moran, ScD, MPH, weighs in on the new dietary guidelines that prioritize protein and caution against highly processed foods and added sugar.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 28, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Here's what the new dietary guidelines get right and wrong, according to Alyssa Moran, Director of Policy and Research Strategy at Penn’s Center for Food & Nutrition Policy. chibe.upenn.edu/blog/what-th...
🚨Happening today at noon: CHIBE and @bcfginitiative.bsky.social are hosting Dr. Emily Oster for a virtual seminar on how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively. Join us!
chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
Emily Oster, PhD│BCFG/CHIBE Virtual Keynote Q&A - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Dr. Emily Oster will speak to the BCFG/CHIBE communities virtually from noon to 1:00 PM on January 28th, 2026 via Zoom.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 28, 2026 at 2:14 PM
🚨Happening today at noon: CHIBE and @bcfginitiative.bsky.social are hosting Dr. Emily Oster for a virtual seminar on how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively. Join us!
chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
"I think it’s really unfortunate that when the public thinks about behavioral economics they think about nudges. We have a much wider role that we can play," George Loewenstein told CHIBE in a recent seminar. Read the full recap below! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/why-fix...
Why Fixing Systems Matters More Than Fixing People: Insights from Dr. George Loewenstein - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
CHIBE recently hosted a seminar with Dr. George Loewenstein, one of our faculty affiliates who co-authored a new book called “It’s on You: How Corporations and Behavioral Scientists Have Convinced Us ...
chibe.upenn.edu
January 23, 2026 at 3:12 PM
"I think it’s really unfortunate that when the public thinks about behavioral economics they think about nudges. We have a much wider role that we can play," George Loewenstein told CHIBE in a recent seminar. Read the full recap below! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/why-fix...
We're hosting Emily Oster for a virtual seminar on January 28 at noon ET. Join us! She'll be talking about how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively. Thanks to @bcfginitiative.bsky.social for co-hosting. chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
Emily Oster, PhD│BCFG/CHIBE Virtual Keynote Q&A - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Dr. Emily Oster will speak to the BCFG/CHIBE communities virtually from noon to 1:00 PM on January 28th, 2026 via Zoom.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 22, 2026 at 4:16 PM
We're hosting Emily Oster for a virtual seminar on January 28 at noon ET. Join us! She'll be talking about how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively. Thanks to @bcfginitiative.bsky.social for co-hosting. chibe.upenn.edu/event/emily-...
“I’m applying this dissemination approach to every piece of work I’m doing,” Dr. Jalpa Doshi said. “I’m choosing what I’m going to be working on based on its potential for impact.”
@pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
@pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
How One Study Saved Preventive Care
When a federal court case threatened to virtually eliminate free preventive care in the U.S., two scholars used their research to effect change.
ldi.upenn.edu
January 15, 2026 at 1:47 PM
“I’m applying this dissemination approach to every piece of work I’m doing,” Dr. Jalpa Doshi said. “I’m choosing what I’m going to be working on based on its potential for impact.”
@pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
@pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Reposted by Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
@pennmedicine.bsky.social researchers awarded $25M by PCORI to conduct largest-ever trial using smartphones to fight heart disease ft. Alexander Fanaroff (@penncvi.bsky.social) & Kevin Volpp (@pennchibe.bsky.social) tinyurl.com/4enj6vwh
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 PM
@pennmedicine.bsky.social researchers awarded $25M by PCORI to conduct largest-ever trial using smartphones to fight heart disease ft. Alexander Fanaroff (@penncvi.bsky.social) & Kevin Volpp (@pennchibe.bsky.social) tinyurl.com/4enj6vwh
This review highlights concerns about an HIV vaccine, many of which are influenced by misinformation. The findings can inform targeted interventions to counter misinformation and communicate preventive benefits. @alison-buttenheim.bsky.social gh.bmj.com/content/11/1...
Characterising concerns and misinformation shaping global HIV vaccine confidence and demand: a structured literature search and content analysis
Background Demand for a future HIV vaccine, similar to other vaccines, is vulnerable to misinformation. A number of studies have examined HIV vaccine acceptability and demand, but few have systematica...
gh.bmj.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
This review highlights concerns about an HIV vaccine, many of which are influenced by misinformation. The findings can inform targeted interventions to counter misinformation and communicate preventive benefits. @alison-buttenheim.bsky.social gh.bmj.com/content/11/1...
Can climate labels on restaurant menus help consumers decrease their food-related climate impact and improve meal nutrition given that environmentally sustainable diets are also healthier? www.ajpmonline.org/article/S074...
The impact of restaurant menu eco labels on consumer meal selections: a randomized controlled trial
Food systems account for ∼30% of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) that contribute
to climate change. Climate labels on restaurant menus may help consumers decrease
their food-related climate impact...
www.ajpmonline.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Can climate labels on restaurant menus help consumers decrease their food-related climate impact and improve meal nutrition given that environmentally sustainable diets are also healthier? www.ajpmonline.org/article/S074...
How can playing games save people’s lives?
Gamification - an up-and-coming field - shows promise in nudging people to develop positive health behaviors.
Story by @pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Gamification - an up-and-coming field - shows promise in nudging people to develop positive health behaviors.
Story by @pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
How Playing Games May Save People’s Lives
Gamification, an up-and-coming field, shows promise in nudging people to develop positive health behaviors.
ldi.upenn.edu
January 8, 2026 at 7:22 PM
How can playing games save people’s lives?
Gamification - an up-and-coming field - shows promise in nudging people to develop positive health behaviors.
Story by @pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Gamification - an up-and-coming field - shows promise in nudging people to develop positive health behaviors.
Story by @pennldi.bsky.social
ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Alongside @bcfginitiative.bsky.social, we are co-hosting a keynote on January 28 at noon ET with Dr. Emily Oster on how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively.
Ahead of the keynote, CHIBE spoke with Dr. Oster for a Q&A! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/chibe-q...
Ahead of the keynote, CHIBE spoke with Dr. Oster for a Q&A! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/chibe-q...
CHIBE Q&A with Dr. Emily Oster - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Read CHIBE's Q&A with Dr. Emily Oster, professor of economics at Brown University, best-selling author, and founder of ParentData.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Alongside @bcfginitiative.bsky.social, we are co-hosting a keynote on January 28 at noon ET with Dr. Emily Oster on how to communicate scientific evidence clearly, responsibly, and effectively.
Ahead of the keynote, CHIBE spoke with Dr. Oster for a Q&A! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/chibe-q...
Ahead of the keynote, CHIBE spoke with Dr. Oster for a Q&A! chibe.upenn.edu/blog/chibe-q...
Join us for a virtual seminar on January 14 at noon ET with Dr. George Loewenstein to talk about his new book, which argues we’ve been subtly coerced into blaming ourselves for societal failures. Register here! chibe.upenn.edu/event/its-on...
It's on You: A Virtual Book Talk Seminar with George Loewenstein, PhD - Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE)
Dr. George Loewenstein will be speaking to the CHIBE community virtually from noon to 1:00 PM EST on January 14, 2026 via Zoom.
chibe.upenn.edu
January 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Join us for a virtual seminar on January 14 at noon ET with Dr. George Loewenstein to talk about his new book, which argues we’ve been subtly coerced into blaming ourselves for societal failures. Register here! chibe.upenn.edu/event/its-on...
Our researchers recently won a $25 million grant to see if they can fight heart disease with a game that promotes a healthy behavior — walking.
www.inquirer.com/health/smart...
www.inquirer.com/health/smart...
Penn researchers gamified walking to boost heart health, and won a $25 million grant
With a $25 million grant, the Penn team will launch a randomized controlled trial to see if their game reduces the risk of heart events.
www.inquirer.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Our researchers recently won a $25 million grant to see if they can fight heart disease with a game that promotes a healthy behavior — walking.
www.inquirer.com/health/smart...
www.inquirer.com/health/smart...
Policymakers should define ultra-processed foods by what they are not, argue Alyssa Moran, Neha Khandpur, and Christina Roberto.
This is the simplest way to prevent food companies from skirting policies meant to make American diets healthier. www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/u...
This is the simplest way to prevent food companies from skirting policies meant to make American diets healthier. www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/u...
What's the right way to define ultra-processed foods?
A new article in Nature Medicine says policymakers should define ultra-processed foods by what they are not.
www.statnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Policymakers should define ultra-processed foods by what they are not, argue Alyssa Moran, Neha Khandpur, and Christina Roberto.
This is the simplest way to prevent food companies from skirting policies meant to make American diets healthier. www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/u...
This is the simplest way to prevent food companies from skirting policies meant to make American diets healthier. www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/u...
Reposted by Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
Join us Wed 1/28 @ 12PM ET for a virtual keynote Q&A with Emily Oster, hosted by BCFG & @pennchibe.bsky.social.
Register here:
bit.ly/4qqmF8l
Register here:
bit.ly/4qqmF8l
Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom ...
bit.ly
December 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Join us Wed 1/28 @ 12PM ET for a virtual keynote Q&A with Emily Oster, hosted by BCFG & @pennchibe.bsky.social.
Register here:
bit.ly/4qqmF8l
Register here:
bit.ly/4qqmF8l
Congratulations to CHIBE Associate Director Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy on being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research! @hthirumurthy.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Congratulations to CHIBE Associate Director Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy on being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research! @hthirumurthy.bsky.social
What if there was a simple program that lowered the number of car crashes and the cost of insurance? What if it was available to everyone but Californians? @kitdelgado.bsky.social
www.modbee.com/opinion/arti...
www.modbee.com/opinion/arti...
Allowing Californians to opt into usage-based insurance would save lives | Opinion
“California remains the only U.S. state where usage-based insurance programs are not permitted.”
www.modbee.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
What if there was a simple program that lowered the number of car crashes and the cost of insurance? What if it was available to everyone but Californians? @kitdelgado.bsky.social
www.modbee.com/opinion/arti...
www.modbee.com/opinion/arti...
Our researchers have been awarded $25 million to conduct a trial using behavioral economics tools and smartphone fitness trackers to fight heart disease. 🫀 @acfanaroff.bsky.social
www.pennmedicine.org/news/25m-tri...
www.pennmedicine.org/news/25m-tri...
$25M trial uses phones to gamify steps, fight heart disease | Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine researchers have been awarded $25M to conduct a trial using smartphones to fight heart disease.
www.pennmedicine.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Our researchers have been awarded $25 million to conduct a trial using behavioral economics tools and smartphone fitness trackers to fight heart disease. 🫀 @acfanaroff.bsky.social
www.pennmedicine.org/news/25m-tri...
www.pennmedicine.org/news/25m-tri...