The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE), housed within the Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine, conducts behavioral economics research that makes significant contributions to reducing the disease burden from major U.S. public health problems, such as tobacco dependence, obesity, and medication non-adherence. CHIBE’s mission is to inform health policy, improve health care delivery and increase healthy behavior.

CHIBE was originally founded in 2008 as part of the nation’s first health services research center, the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with faculty from the Center for Behavioral Decision Research at Carnegie Mellon University. CHIBE is one of the first research centers dedicated to the implementation of behavioral economic research in health. We are one of two NIH-funded Centers in Behavioral Economics and Health in the United States.

In partnership with the Palliative and Advance Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, CHIBE supports the Fostering Improvement in End-of-Life Decision Science (FIELDS) Program. Additionally, CHIBE leads the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit together with the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation.

CHIBE researchers have received funding from several institutes within the National Institutes of Health, a variety of corporate partners, and foundations. A complete list of ongoing research projects is available by browsing through our Research page.