Jason Fletcher
Professor of Public Affairs; Faculty Affiliate,Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Chapter Member: Wisconsin SSN
Areas of Expertise:
Connect with Jason
About Jason
Fletcher's research focuses on combining genetics with social science, examining issues around health and aging, and examining impacts of social networks on life outcomes
Contributions
Will Taxes on Sugary Soft Drinks Improve Health?
Key Findings Brief,
In the News
Jason Fletcher's research on alcohol consumption discussed by , "Wisconsin Study Finds Binge Drinking Differences between Men & Women," NPR, September 24, 2018.
Guest to discuss the impact of family income on learning on National Public Radio, Jason Fletcher, June 30, 2016.
Jason Fletcher quoted on a new measure of physician value by Melanie Evans, "Measure Ranks Docs on How Much Patients Improve" Modern Healthcare, October 15, 2014.
Jason Fletcher's research on the impacts of diabetes on education and employment discussed by , "Economic Toll of Diabetes Begins Early," New York Times, January 9, 2012.
Jason Fletcher's research on the effects of attending a highly selective college on later health behaviors such as smoking and drinking discussed by , "College Costs and Selectivity May Influence Health and Behavior Choices," The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 26, 2011.
Jason Fletcher's research on the impacts of soda taxes on obesity discussed by , "Taxing Sodas for a Healthier Economy?," Time Magazine, July 12, 2010.
Jason Fletcher's research on social contagion in health behaviors discussed by , "Everything is Contagious," Slate, April 8, 2010.
Publications
"The Effects of Teenage Childbearing on the Short- and Long-Term Health Behaviors of Mothers" Journal of Population Economics 25, no. 1 (2012): 201-218.
Shows that early childbearing is protective against some risky health behaviors for adults.
"The Effects of Soft Drink Taxation on Soft Drink Consumption and Weight for Children and Adolescents" (with ). Journal of Public Economics 94, no. 11 (2010): 967-974.
Demonstrates that soft drink taxation has no impacts on obesity.
"Is Obesity Contagious? Social Networks vs. Environmental Factors in the Obesity Epidemic" (with ). Journal of Health Economics 27, no. 5 (2008): 1382-1387.
Finds that environmental effects appear more important than social network effects in explaining obesity.