# Use of Behavioral Economics in Repeat SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Disadvantaged Communities

> **NIH NIH R33** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2020 · $648,399

## Abstract

Abstract
The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has greatly impacted underserved populations. This
project aims to understand social and behavioral determinants of COVID-19 testing and
variations within sub-groups of this population. In partnership with the largest federally qualified
health center in the United States, we will collect survey data and conduct a randomized
experiment on 2,160 individuals (540 families) to evaluate the effectiveness of risk-based
messaging and incentives that promote repeated testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In a 2 x 2
(Messaging x Incentive) factorial experiment, participants complete a comprehensive set of
social and behavioral surveys to identify determinants of commitment to testing. They are then
randomized by strata identified in the survey to receive personalized messaging promoting
repeated testing. Messaging will focus upon either (1a) their household risk or (1b) their
personal risk of COVID-19. They are also randomly assigned to either an incentive condition
that (2a) insures against losing baseline rewards for initial testing, or (2b) that enters them into a
lottery with a small chance to win $100 if they complete both tests. Both the insurance and
lottery conditions carry the same incentive costs. Our previous work in similar populations
demonstrated that adherence to planned health behaviors is higher with insurance-based
incentives than cash payments of equal value. This experiment compares insurance-based
incentives to lottery incentives that have been shown to be effective in multiple contexts. Finally,
we evaluate if social and behavioral determinants of health result in heterogeneous treatment
effects that can inform customization of incentive offerings in future programs devoted to
increasing uptake of testing or vaccinations among underserved populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10233727
- **Project number:** 3R33AG057395-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JASON N. DOCTOR
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $648,399
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10233727

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10233727, Use of Behavioral Economics in Repeat SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Disadvantaged Communities (3R33AG057395-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10233727. Licensed CC0.

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