Experimental Evidence on the Effectiveness of Nonexperts for Improving Vaccine Demand

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2024
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 394-414

Authors (2)

Marcella Alsan (Stanford University) Sarah Eichmeyer (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We experimentally vary signals and senders to identify which combination will increase vaccine demand among a disadvantaged population in the United States—Black and White men without a college education. Our main finding is that laypeople (nonexpert concordant senders) are most effective at promoting vaccination, particularly among those least willing to become vaccinated. This finding points to a trade-off between the higher qualifications of experts on the one hand and the lower social proximity to low-socioeconomic-status populations on the other hand, which may undermine credibility in settings of low trust.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:394-414
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24