First Annual Meeting on the Economics of Risky Behaviors

Many individuals, adults, adolescents, and children alike engage in a host of risky behaviors that might have important present and future ramifications. Examples of such behaviors include, but are not limited to, crime and delinquency, smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, suicidal behavior, gambling, reckless driving and driving under the influence, prostitution, underage sexual activity and sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, unhealthy dietary behaviors and poor physical activity, intentional and unintentional injuries, gang membership, and terrorism. These behaviors impose substantial costs to both those who engage in them and the society. The meeting will bring together economists and other researchers who work on the analyses of risky behaviors. We hope to advance our understanding of the causes and consequences of risky behaviors and to improve strategies aimed to reduce the incident and cost of these behaviors.