Abstract

In the lead essay, Oliver differentiates between utilizing incentives to motivate single simple behaviour changes (e.g., getting immunizations, undergoing screening tests) and using them to motivate sustained behaviour changes (e.g., losing weight, quitting smoking). This commentary focuses on the latter. Here, the authors talk about four main points related to the lead article: (1) governmental intervention, (2) understanding why people do not change their behaviour, (3) contemplating motivational "nudges" other than money and (4) other policy considerations.