Pandemics’ backlash: The effects of the 1918 influenza on health attitudes and behavior

Talk by Christian Ochsner, CERGE-EI

We examine how, when, and for how long adverse health shocks shape health-related attitudes and behaviors, and perceptions of future-oriented policies. We utilize self-digitized, individual-level death and vaccination records, and policy voting data around the 1918 influenza pandemic. Exposure to influenza reduces support for public health measures at both the locality and family levels. More exposed localities also reduce support for future-oriented policies, while favoring greater security and regulation. At the family level, we document more nuanced effects depending on death exposure. Our findings reveal divergent public responses to health crises and explain recent post-pandemic declines in vaccination rates and trust in health authorities in the U.S. and worldwide.

Link to the talk

Christian Ochsner is an Associate Professor with Tenure at CERGE-EI, a joint workplace of Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences. He is a Research Associate at SIAW at the University of St. Gallen, a CESifo Research Affiliate, and an external lecturer at the University of St. Gallen and the University of Lucerne. He obtained his PhD from TU Dresden. During his PhD, he was employed as a Junior Economist at the ifo Institute for Economic Research - Dresden Branch.

Christian’s research links development economics, regional economics, political economy, and health economics. He examines critical junctures in history and how they shape subsequent socio-economic outcomes, including their effects to the present day.  He uses quasi-experimental settings in history and combines econometric techniques and contextualization.

This event is organized by Prof. Dr Anthony Strittmatter from the Faculty of Business and Economics.