Immunization and Moral Hazard: The Hpv Vaccine and Uptake of Cancer Screening

30 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2016 Last revised: 17 Jul 2023

See all articles by Ali Moghtaderi

Ali Moghtaderi

The George Washington University

Avi Dor

Case Western Reserve University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: August 2016

Abstract

Immunization can cause moral hazard by reducing the cost of risky behaviors. In this study, we examine the effect of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer on participation in the Pap test, which is a diagnostic screening test to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous process. It is strongly recommended for women between 21-65 years old even after taking the HPV vaccine. A reduction in willingness to have a Pap test as a result of HPV vaccination would signal the need for public health intervention. The HPV vaccination is recommended for women age eleven to twelve for regular vaccination or for women up to age 26 not vaccinated previously. We present evidence that probability of vaccination changes around this threshold. We identify the effect of vaccination using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design, centered on the recommended vaccination threshold age. The results show no evidence of ex ante moral hazard in the short-run. Sensitivity analyses using alternative specifications and subsamples are in general agreement. The estimates show that women who have been vaccinated are actually more likely to have a Pap test in the short-run, possibly due to increased awareness of its benefits.

Suggested Citation

Moghtaderi, Ali and Dor, Avi, Immunization and Moral Hazard: The Hpv Vaccine and Uptake of Cancer Screening (August 2016). NBER Working Paper No. w22523, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2827441

Ali Moghtaderi (Contact Author)

The George Washington University ( email )

950 New Hampshire Ave NW
Suite 609
Washington, DC 20052
United States

Avi Dor

Case Western Reserve University - Department of Economics ( email )

Cleveland, OH 44106
United States
216-368-4110 (Phone)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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