Can Information Improve the Uptake of Disability Benefits? Experimental Evidence from Vietnam
To investigate the barriers to expanding the coverage of disability benefit programs in developing countries, disability program information was randomised via a commune loudspeaker system in 70 rural communes in northeast Vietnam.
The broadcasts led to an 11 percent increase in the number of applications and an 8 percent increase in the number of persons certified as disabled by the commune disability determination committee. The effects were substantially higher among persons certified to have a severe disability who are entitled to a monthly disability pension and were contained to men and persons of working age.
The results suggest that increasing the awareness of disability benefit programs through information campaigns at the local level can be a cost effective way of increasing program coverage in developing countries.
Speaker Profile
Michael Palmer, Research Fellow, University of Western Australia
Michael Palmer is currently senior lecturer in economics at the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. He is also research coordinator of the Asia and Pacific Hub of the Disability Data Initiative. His research aims to use data to develop the evidence base for policies which improve the lives of people living with disabilities around the world.
He is an award winning lecturer and the author of over twenty academic journal articles and book chapters including the forthcoming chapter on the Economics of Disability in the Handbook of Labour, Human Resources and Population Economics.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu
Event Details
- Date:
- 3 May 2023 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- In-person at Caulfield campus, Building H, Level 9, Room H9.21
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; Health Economics
Description
To investigate the barriers to expanding the coverage of disability benefit programs in developing countries, disability program information was randomised via a commune loudspeaker system in 70 rural communes in northeast Vietnam.
The broadcasts led to an 11 percent increase in the number of applications and an 8 percent increase in the number of persons certified as disabled by the commune disability determination committee. The effects were substantially higher among persons certified to have a severe disability who are entitled to a monthly disability pension and were contained to men and persons of working age.
The results suggest that increasing the awareness of disability benefit programs through information campaigns at the local level can be a cost effective way of increasing program coverage in developing countries.
Speaker Profile
Michael Palmer, Research Fellow, University of Western Australia
Michael Palmer is currently senior lecturer in economics at the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. He is also research coordinator of the Asia and Pacific Hub of the Disability Data Initiative. His research aims to use data to develop the evidence base for policies which improve the lives of people living with disabilities around the world.
He is an award winning lecturer and the author of over twenty academic journal articles and book chapters including the forthcoming chapter on the Economics of Disability in the Handbook of Labour, Human Resources and Population Economics.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu