Dataset Information

Do traditional economic theories of free riding behavior explain spatial clustering of HPV vaccine uptake?

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Geographic clusters of low vaccination uptake reduce the population-level efficacy of vaccination programs. However, little is known about the mechanisms that drive geographic patterns in vaccination rates. Traditional economic theory considers vaccination as a classic public good and suggests that free riding-individuals taking advantage of public goods by relying on others' immunization behavior without contributing toward them-is a primary cause of low vaccination rates. However, behavioral economics suggests that free riding does not fully explain observed individual behavior, and the presence of both high and low clusters of vaccination rates suggest that this theory alone does not fully explain geographic patterns of vaccination.

Objective

We assessed geographic clustering of HPV vaccination uptake and examined the evidence for or against free riding in HPV vaccination decisions.

Methods

We analyzed HPV vaccination decisions of low-income adolescent females (N?=?601) residing in urban neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas, USA during 2011-2012. Spatial econometric models were estimated to assess the relationship between neighborhood vaccination rates and individual vaccination decisions.

Results

We found a positive and significant relationship between individual HPV vaccination choices and the average neighborhood vaccination rate at the time parents were making vaccine decisions for their adolescent daughters while controlling for neighborhood sorting and other confounders.

Conclusion

Individuals were more likely to complete the HPV vaccination series when others in their neighborhood had already completed the series. We do not find evidence for free riding in HPV vaccination decisions.

SUBMITTER: McKillop CN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6558301 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Do traditional economic theories of free riding behavior explain spatial clustering of HPV vaccine uptake?

McKillop Caitlin N CN Leonard Tammy T Pruitt Sandi L SL Tiro Jasmin A JA

SSM - population health 20190602

<h4>Rationale</h4>Geographic clusters of low vaccination uptake reduce the population-level efficacy of vaccination programs. However, little is known about the mechanisms that drive geographic patterns in vaccination rates. Traditional economic theory considers vaccination as a classic public good and suggests that <i>free riding-</i>individuals taking advantage of public goods by relying on others' immunization behavior without contributing toward them<i>-</i>is a primary cause of low vaccinat ...[more]

PMID: 31206005

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Project description:AimPlant functional groups are widely used in community ecology and earth system modelling to describe trait variation within and across plant communities. However, this approach rests on the assumption that functional groups explain a large proportion of trait variation among species. We test whether four commonly used plant functional groups represent variation in six ecologically important plant traits.LocationTundra biome.Time periodData collected between 1964 and 2016.Major taxa studied295 tundra vascular plant species.MethodsWe compiled a database of six plant traits (plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf nitrogen, seed mass) for tundra species. We examined the variation in species-level trait expression explained by four traditional functional groups (evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, graminoids, forbs), and whether variation explained was dependent upon the traits included in analysis. We further compared the explanatory power and species composition of functional groups to alternative classifications generated using post hoc clustering of species-level traits.ResultsTraditional functional groups explained significant differences in trait expression, particularly amongst traits associated with resource economics, which were consistent across sites and at the biome scale. However, functional groups explained 19% of overall trait variation and poorly represented differences in traits associated with plant size. Post hoc classification of species did not correspond well with traditional functional groups, and explained twice as much variation in species-level trait expression.Main conclusionsTraditional functional groups only coarsely represent variation in well-measured traits within tundra plant communities, and better explain resource economic traits than size-related traits. We recommend caution when using functional group approaches to predict tundra vegetation change, or ecosystem functions relating to plant size, such as albedo or carbon storage. We argue that alternative classifications or direct use of specific plant traits could provide new insights for ecological prediction and modelling.

Dataset Information

Do traditional economic theories of free riding behavior explain spatial clustering of HPV vaccine uptake?

Rationale

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Do traditional economic theories of free riding behavior explain spatial clustering of HPV vaccine uptake?

Similar Datasets

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