Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
We study a dynamic natural experiment involving nearly 3000 American women of age 50–64 to understand how a woman's propensity to receive an annual mammography changes over time after a co-worker is diagnosed with breast cancer. We find that in the year this event occurs the probability of screening drops by about 6 percentage points, off a base level of 70%. This impact effect is persistent for at least two years. Underlying mechanisms and implications for health policy are discussed.