About CHIBE
The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) is the leading scientific organization using behavioral economics to improve health.
Who We Are
The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) is the leading scientific organization using behavioral economics to improve health.
What We Do
Drawing on the expertise of faculty from across the University of Pennsylvania and beyond, CHIBE conducts behavioral economics research aimed at reducing the burden of disease from major public health challenges, such as smoking, obesity, and medication non-adherence. CHIBE also works to increase the value of resources expended on health care to more efficiently improve health.
Since 2008, our faculty have produced research and scientific evidence, supported policymakers and leaders of programs with evidence to inform decision-making, and generated program and policy options. To maximize our impact, our work transcends partisan political boundaries.
What Our Mission Is
Our mission is to advance the science of applied behavioral economics in pursuit of knowledge, interventions, and policies that lead to higher-value health care and healthier lives for all.
What We Believe In
As behavioral economists, we agree with what Dr. Daniel Kahneman and others have emphasized that the world is challenging to navigate, and people face many hurdles in trying to engage in healthy behavior. Rather than pushing people harder, we should try to make things easier– by simplifying decision-making and processes. We believe that behavioral economics can provide useful tools to 1) help individuals make decisions that improve their long-term health and 2) increase value in health care delivery.
We can improve on the status quo. We believe in conducting careful experimentation and secondary data analysis to determine what works, testing how interventions work in different populations, and translating research into practice on a wide scale when appropriate.
Who We Work With
Our Center has worked with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including health systems, payers, employers, consumer companies, state and federal governmental agencies, and communities.
CHIBE also leads the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit together with the Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation. The Nudge Unit is the world’s first behavioral design team embedded within a health system.
Who Funds Us
CHIBE researchers have received funding from several institutes within the National Institutes of Health, a variety of other government sources, corporate partners, foundations, and philanthropists. If you would like to make a gift to the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, reach out to a member of our Development team about making a gift.