Optimal Expectations and Limited Medical Testing: Evidence from Huntington Disease

• Published in: The American economic review Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. 804 - 830
• Main Authors: Oster, Emily, Shoulson, Ira, Dorsey, E. Ray
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nashville American Economic Association 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Age; Behavior; Decision making; Disease models; Diseases; Economic models; Funding; Genetic disorders; Genetic engineering; Genetic mutation; Genetic testing; Health care; Health economics; Health risk assessment; Human genetics; Huntington disease; Huntingtons disease; Life expectancy; Medical genetics; Medical screening; Medical treatment; Pregnancy; Probability; Retirement; Studies; Symptoms; Utilities costs

We use novel data to study genetic testing among individuals at risk for Huntington disease (HD), a hereditary disease with limited life expectancy. Although genetic testing is perfectly predictive and carries little economic cost, presymptomatic testing is rare. Testing rates increase with increase...