Ben Harrell
@elben.bsky.social
Health economist studying mental health, health insurance, and health policy at Trinity University. 📈📉
benharrellecon.com
benharrellecon.com
Do you have research that explores how the intersections of policy, socioeconomics, and institutions drive differences in health outcomes? As this year's #ASHEcon2026 Chair of Health Equity, I'd love to read your abstract!
Submit here: ashecon.confex.com/ashecon/2026...
Submit here: ashecon.confex.com/ashecon/2026...
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Do you have research that explores how the intersections of policy, socioeconomics, and institutions drive differences in health outcomes? As this year's #ASHEcon2026 Chair of Health Equity, I'd love to read your abstract!
Submit here: ashecon.confex.com/ashecon/2026...
Submit here: ashecon.confex.com/ashecon/2026...
New in @jamanetworkopen.com with Gabe Miller and Nicole Jones: the 2010s saw a reversal of an enduring disparity in insurance rates among 🏳️🌈 ppl, particularly for same-sex couples. So how have these gains been realized? Let's get into it! A 🧵! 1/6
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Health Insurance Coverage Among Same-Sex vs Different-Sex Couples
This cross-sectional study compares health insurance coverage rates between same-sex and different-sex couples in the US from 2008 to 2022 by marital status, type of insurer, state of residence, and h...
jamanetwork.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
New in @jamanetworkopen.com with Gabe Miller and Nicole Jones: the 2010s saw a reversal of an enduring disparity in insurance rates among 🏳️🌈 ppl, particularly for same-sex couples. So how have these gains been realized? Let's get into it! A 🧵! 1/6
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Always bet on Ron Vara.
My money is on Ron Vara
April 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Always bet on Ron Vara.
Reposted by Ben Harrell
The flu, COVID, RSV, and pneumonia kill thousands of Americans every year. Effective vaccines for these diseases exist, yet vaccination rates are low. What explains this? @justinsydnor.bsky.social will join us for a virtual seminar on Feb 26 from 12-1. Register here! chibe.upenn.edu/event/justin...
February 13, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The flu, COVID, RSV, and pneumonia kill thousands of Americans every year. Effective vaccines for these diseases exist, yet vaccination rates are low. What explains this? @justinsydnor.bsky.social will join us for a virtual seminar on Feb 26 from 12-1. Register here! chibe.upenn.edu/event/justin...
Reposted by Ben Harrell
The best hack I have tried to improve how much I enjoy Microsoft Word is having collaborated on my first Overleaf-based project.
What a horrible experience if you write with the goal of communicating ideas $clearly$.
I understand learning curves, mine will be 100% counterfactual (never again)
What a horrible experience if you write with the goal of communicating ideas $clearly$.
I understand learning curves, mine will be 100% counterfactual (never again)
January 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The best hack I have tried to improve how much I enjoy Microsoft Word is having collaborated on my first Overleaf-based project.
What a horrible experience if you write with the goal of communicating ideas $clearly$.
I understand learning curves, mine will be 100% counterfactual (never again)
What a horrible experience if you write with the goal of communicating ideas $clearly$.
I understand learning curves, mine will be 100% counterfactual (never again)
I once perjoratively called Nathan,"Crankus."
Now, there's no one's reporting I trust more on the economic arms of the federal government. That's credibility you earn by being RIGHT, not by having a PhD behind your name.
Now, there's no one's reporting I trust more on the economic arms of the federal government. That's credibility you earn by being RIGHT, not by having a PhD behind your name.
I have no college degree. I have accumulated a ton of respect and connections. But I just did that by, essentially, posting. You can learn things so important they matter when put into action. And the more of us working collectively, the more we can do
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A 28-Year-Old With No Degree Becomes a Must-Read on the Economy
Subscribers to Nathan Tankus’s newsletter, Notes on the Crises, aren’t bothered by his lack of diplomas.
www.bloomberg.com
February 9, 2025 at 6:37 AM
I once perjoratively called Nathan,"Crankus."
Now, there's no one's reporting I trust more on the economic arms of the federal government. That's credibility you earn by being RIGHT, not by having a PhD behind your name.
Now, there's no one's reporting I trust more on the economic arms of the federal government. That's credibility you earn by being RIGHT, not by having a PhD behind your name.
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Working papers I read:
“I realised that the people in these areas were just like me except they did not have the same resources that I had.”
New @nberpubs.bsky.social wp by
@edankaplan.bsky.social et al finds long-run effects of witnessing deprived neighbourhoods in childhood
1/N
#econsky
“I realised that the people in these areas were just like me except they did not have the same resources that I had.”
New @nberpubs.bsky.social wp by
@edankaplan.bsky.social et al finds long-run effects of witnessing deprived neighbourhoods in childhood
1/N
#econsky
January 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Working papers I read:
“I realised that the people in these areas were just like me except they did not have the same resources that I had.”
New @nberpubs.bsky.social wp by
@edankaplan.bsky.social et al finds long-run effects of witnessing deprived neighbourhoods in childhood
1/N
#econsky
“I realised that the people in these areas were just like me except they did not have the same resources that I had.”
New @nberpubs.bsky.social wp by
@edankaplan.bsky.social et al finds long-run effects of witnessing deprived neighbourhoods in childhood
1/N
#econsky
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Important new research by my @dartmouthartsci.bsky.social colleagues: test-optional admission *hurts* the chances of less advantaged applicants, who don't submit scores that would dramatically increase their chance of admission. www.nber.org/papers/w3338...
January 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Important new research by my @dartmouthartsci.bsky.social colleagues: test-optional admission *hurts* the chances of less advantaged applicants, who don't submit scores that would dramatically increase their chance of admission. www.nber.org/papers/w3338...
I had such a fun time being a mentor to these incredible PhD students. If you have the capacity, this program can be an amazing way to give back and pay forward all the great mentorship you’ve received (or to give the mentorship you wish you had).
After an incredibly impactful PhD student and early career mentoring conference, we are excited to launch another round of CSQIEP’s standing mentoring program for queer economists! We are looking for mentors at all levels, but especially senior mentors
sites.google.com/view/csqiep-me…
sites.google.com/view/csqiep-me…
December 17, 2024 at 1:59 AM
I had such a fun time being a mentor to these incredible PhD students. If you have the capacity, this program can be an amazing way to give back and pay forward all the great mentorship you’ve received (or to give the mentorship you wish you had).
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Does bad press hurt business? Our study finds no detectable effect of the Jared Fogle scandal on Subway patronage, challenging assumptions about the role of repugnance in consumer behavior. Consumers may separate a firm's products from its public symbols.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 12, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Does bad press hurt business? Our study finds no detectable effect of the Jared Fogle scandal on Subway patronage, challenging assumptions about the role of repugnance in consumer behavior. Consumers may separate a firm's products from its public symbols.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Ben Harrell
As of 2024-12-01, the # of total jobs listed on JOE is down 4.9% from this point last year, down 25.1% from 2022, and down 15.7% from 2021. 2/8
December 9, 2024 at 9:17 PM
As of 2024-12-01, the # of total jobs listed on JOE is down 4.9% from this point last year, down 25.1% from 2022, and down 15.7% from 2021. 2/8
Reposted by Ben Harrell
News from Health Affairs Scholar. We now have a "research letter" option with a max 750-word count, < 10 references, and 1 table or figure (requirements to be updated on our website)
For details see:
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
For details see:
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
December 9, 2024 at 10:19 PM
News from Health Affairs Scholar. We now have a "research letter" option with a max 750-word count, < 10 references, and 1 table or figure (requirements to be updated on our website)
For details see:
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
For details see:
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
Been thinking a lot about this.
Imagine you're a normie in this economy. You're making about $20 an hour as a clerical worker or laborer. United Healthcare has lead the way in (allegedly) illegally deploying algorithmic denial of claims, and will likely get away w the new administration.
Imagine you're a normie in this economy. You're making about $20 an hour as a clerical worker or laborer. United Healthcare has lead the way in (allegedly) illegally deploying algorithmic denial of claims, and will likely get away w the new administration.
It strikes me as incredibly interesting how much more attention and care the powers that be (media, police departments, politicians) give to rich people who die compared to everyone else.
The NYPD SCUBA Team searching the Central Park Lake for the gun from the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder.
December 9, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Been thinking a lot about this.
Imagine you're a normie in this economy. You're making about $20 an hour as a clerical worker or laborer. United Healthcare has lead the way in (allegedly) illegally deploying algorithmic denial of claims, and will likely get away w the new administration.
Imagine you're a normie in this economy. You're making about $20 an hour as a clerical worker or laborer. United Healthcare has lead the way in (allegedly) illegally deploying algorithmic denial of claims, and will likely get away w the new administration.
#SEA2024 - @LGBTQ_Econ sponsored LGBTQ+ happy hour this evening is at number nine at 8.45pm!
t.co/MEEy0P2jk5
t.co/MEEy0P2jk5
https://g.co/kgs/epMQz2b
t.co
November 25, 2024 at 1:49 AM
#SEA2024 - @LGBTQ_Econ sponsored LGBTQ+ happy hour this evening is at number nine at 8.45pm!
t.co/MEEy0P2jk5
t.co/MEEy0P2jk5
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Hi everyone! This coming September UVA Batten will be hosting an Econ mental health conference! We have awesome speakers and please (1) share and (2) consider submitting to make it a great conference! Also (3) funding included - more details below!
November 20, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Hi everyone! This coming September UVA Batten will be hosting an Econ mental health conference! We have awesome speakers and please (1) share and (2) consider submitting to make it a great conference! Also (3) funding included - more details below!
Mathematics in economics is a tool of rhetorical discipline. It forces you into positions that are precisely defined, and it is a COMPLEMENT to economic intuition, not a substitute.
“Common sense” is no more a perfect tool of epistemology than formal logic and math. You need both!
“Common sense” is no more a perfect tool of epistemology than formal logic and math. You need both!
Here's Bryan Caplan writing about math in economics.
Seems very wrong to me. I wonder what the quickest refutation is that would make sense to most practicing economists.
www.betonit.ai/p/economath_...
Seems very wrong to me. I wonder what the quickest refutation is that would make sense to most practicing economists.
www.betonit.ai/p/economath_...
November 18, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Mathematics in economics is a tool of rhetorical discipline. It forces you into positions that are precisely defined, and it is a COMPLEMENT to economic intuition, not a substitute.
“Common sense” is no more a perfect tool of epistemology than formal logic and math. You need both!
“Common sense” is no more a perfect tool of epistemology than formal logic and math. You need both!
Travis is a great scholar and good institutional citizen. You should hire him if you’re in the market for a health economist!
Hi all!
I am Travis Whitacre, an Applied Microeconomist and Postdoctoral Associate at Yale School of Public Health. I am on the Economic Job Market this year.
Learn more about me, as well as a link to my JMP: traviswhitacre.github.io
Some highlights of the paper:
#EconJMP #EconSky
I am Travis Whitacre, an Applied Microeconomist and Postdoctoral Associate at Yale School of Public Health. I am on the Economic Job Market this year.
Learn more about me, as well as a link to my JMP: traviswhitacre.github.io
Some highlights of the paper:
#EconJMP #EconSky
November 13, 2024 at 1:06 AM
Travis is a great scholar and good institutional citizen. You should hire him if you’re in the market for a health economist!
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Holy Cow! This paper sounds...big! #EconSky
"The information resulted in changes to property prices and altered the market's hedonic equilibrium, providing a new finding that climate adaptation can be forward-thinking and proactive."
www.nber.org/papers/w33119
"The information resulted in changes to property prices and altered the market's hedonic equilibrium, providing a new finding that climate adaptation can be forward-thinking and proactive."
www.nber.org/papers/w33119
November 11, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Holy Cow! This paper sounds...big! #EconSky
"The information resulted in changes to property prices and altered the market's hedonic equilibrium, providing a new finding that climate adaptation can be forward-thinking and proactive."
www.nber.org/papers/w33119
"The information resulted in changes to property prices and altered the market's hedonic equilibrium, providing a new finding that climate adaptation can be forward-thinking and proactive."
www.nber.org/papers/w33119
Reposted by Ben Harrell
Reposted by Ben Harrell
I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Editor-in-Chief for Health Economics. I am succeeding Sally Stearns, who has provided outstanding leadership to the journal and is retiring this year. The Board and I wish Sally great happiness for the future as we take up the baton.
July 1, 2024 at 1:35 PM
I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Editor-in-Chief for Health Economics. I am succeeding Sally Stearns, who has provided outstanding leadership to the journal and is retiring this year. The Board and I wish Sally great happiness for the future as we take up the baton.
So have we reached a critical mass of EconTwitter expats yet?
November 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM
So have we reached a critical mass of EconTwitter expats yet?
Really fun time today at the first (hopefully annual) Texas Health Economics Network (TEXHEN) Workshop.
November 7, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Really fun time today at the first (hopefully annual) Texas Health Economics Network (TEXHEN) Workshop.
Reposted by Ben Harrell
🚨 Call for Papers 🚨
The Liberal Arts Colleges Public and Labor Economics Virtual Seminar series is soliciting papers for Spring 2025.
Submit your extended abstracts by Fri Nov 8: forms.gle/gpWhwmfxqBA2...
More info on our website: sites.google.com/view/LAC-PaL
The Liberal Arts Colleges Public and Labor Economics Virtual Seminar series is soliciting papers for Spring 2025.
Submit your extended abstracts by Fri Nov 8: forms.gle/gpWhwmfxqBA2...
More info on our website: sites.google.com/view/LAC-PaL
LAC-PaL Virtual
The Liberal Arts Colleges Public and Labor Economics (LAC-PaL) Virtual Seminar is an online seminar series devoted to highlighting research by faculty at Liberal Arts Colleges in the fields of Labor E...
sites.google.com
October 10, 2024 at 3:26 PM
🚨 Call for Papers 🚨
The Liberal Arts Colleges Public and Labor Economics Virtual Seminar series is soliciting papers for Spring 2025.
Submit your extended abstracts by Fri Nov 8: forms.gle/gpWhwmfxqBA2...
More info on our website: sites.google.com/view/LAC-PaL
The Liberal Arts Colleges Public and Labor Economics Virtual Seminar series is soliciting papers for Spring 2025.
Submit your extended abstracts by Fri Nov 8: forms.gle/gpWhwmfxqBA2...
More info on our website: sites.google.com/view/LAC-PaL