Inequality in mortality between Black and White Americans by age, place, and cause and in comparison to Europe, 1990 to 2018.

Although there is a large gap between Black and White American life expectancies, the gap fell 48.9% between 1990 and 2018, mainly due to mortality declines among Black Americans. We examine age-specific mortality trends and racial gaps in life expectancy in high- and low-income US areas and with reference to six European countries.

Knowledge as a Predictor of Insurance Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act.

Background: The Affordable Care Act established policy mechanisms to increase health insurance coverage in the United States. While insurance coverage has increased, 10%-15% of the US population remains uninsured.

Objectives: To assess whether health insurance literacy and financial literacy predict being uninsured, covered by Medicaid, or covered by Marketplace insurance, holding demographic characteristics, attitudes toward risk, and political affiliation constant.

The Role of Outcome Forecasts in Patients' Treatment Decisions--Evidence from a Survey Experiment on Knee Replacement Surgery.

Objective: To analyze the effect of personalized outcome probabilities on treatment decisions.

Data Source: American Life Panel.

Study Design: We designed an experimental survey that respondents answered by recommending replacement surgery for hypothetical patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis.

The Effects of World War II on Economic and Health Outcomes across Europe.

We investigate long-run effects of World War II on socio-economic status and health of older individuals in Europe. We analyze data from SHARELIFE, a retrospective survey conducted as part of SHARE in Europe in 2009. SHARELIFE provides detailed data on events in childhood during and after the war for over 20,000 individuals in 13 European countries.

Contributions of Second Opinions, Outcome Forecasts, and Testimonials to Patient Decisions about Knee Replacement Surgery.

Background: Decision aids are now a well-established means of supporting patients in their medical decision making. The widespread use of decision aids invites questions about how their components contribute to patient decisions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the importance of second opinions, patient-specific outcome forecasts, and patient testimonials relative to patient clinical and socioeconomic factors and the primary physician recommendation on the decision to undergo full knee replacement surgery to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Preparedness of Americans for the Affordable Care Act.

This paper investigates whether individuals are sufficiently informed to make reasonable choices in the health insurance exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We document knowledge of health reform, health insurance literacy, and expected changes in healthcare using a nationally representative survey of the US population in the 5 wk before the introduction of the exchanges, with special attention to subgroups most likely to be affected by the ACA. Results suggest that a substantial share of the population is unprepared to navigate the new exchanges.