RSPF24 - Plenary 1: Experimentation and behavioural change

Over the last 20 years, three Nobel prizes in economics have highlighted the systematic and predictable biases and errors in human reasoning. These phenomena were not sufficiently taken into account in conventional models of behavioural change, which were based on the assumption that rational human beings systematically make well-considered decisions. In fact, humans do not always make the best decisions for their future, health being one such example. They have difficulty projecting themselves into the future (temporal myopia) and are strongly influenced by the social environment (others) or the physical environment (e.g. advertising, strong influence of the general context).
This initial need to take account of all the knowledge we have about human behaviour and how it changes has been compounded by the growing requirement to scientifically test action scenarios. This requires a firm grasp of the level of evidence, so that the most effective and efficient action can be identified before deployment.
The aim of this plenary session is to explore the issues raised when experimenting with interventions designed to change behaviour, particularly health behaviour, using the latest available knowledge. The background to this field and its development at international and national level will be presented, including examples from France. The OECD will also present its work on public policies designed to increase physical activity, a topical issue in this year of the Olympic Games.
MODERATORS
Pr. Laëtitia Huiart, Santé publique France
Stephan Giraud, French Interministerial Department for Public Sector Transformation
PROGRAMME
Developing social experimentation
Pr. David Halpern, Behavioural Insights Team
Experimenting with financial incentives in public health: ethical issues and moral debate
Pr. Marc Bardou, Dijon University Hospital
Presentation of the OECD Report “Step Up! Tackling the Burden of Insufficient Physical Activity in Europe”
Sabine Vuik, OECD