Why it's so hard to make healthy decisions | David Asch

Why do we make poor decisions that we know are bad for our health? In this frank, funny talk, behavioral economist and health policy expert David Asch explains why our behavior is often irrational -- in highly predictable ways -- and shows how we can harness this irrationality to make better decisions and improve our health care system overall.

[goodhad]

you know what's best way to build a muscle? don't think of it as if I work out, I'm going to gain a muscle. rather, think of it as If I don't work out, I will be losing the muscle I built. That's the loss aversion he's talking about

[AVarkaris]

this guy added deadpan charm and subtle jokes into his speech so flawlessly and seamlessly.

[Anna_Helena]

„Hard work pays off in the future, but laziness pays off right now.“ Lol true

[jessannreece]

I have Lupus and have been struggling to change my bad habits. I know what's good and what's bad... but I isolate myself so its easy to cheat when no one us around to hold you accountable.... after two pulmonary embolisms that nearly killed me, I know I have to make some drastic changes, but it's so much easier said than done. I really needed to hear this Tedtalk today. Amazing job!!!

[rezzo]

Even deciding to watch this healthy clip was hard😂

[CalLadyQED]

There was a Berenstain Bear story where Gran helps Sister quit biting her nails. They put 10 pennies in her pocket to jingle around all day at school, reminding her not to bite. Then at the end of the day, she has to give back as many as the number of nails she bit. A lesson for kids in loss aversion.

[danielking]

imagine you know the day of your death and everything you do will increase or decrease the clock that is ticking. Being honest is so unnatural to our subconscious it is insane how we convince ourselves we live forever every single day.

[salvina]

Where was this when I was taking my exam in a hospital administration course? Thank you so much for this video.

[dyronpang]

Present bias:
Immediate outcomes more motivating than more important outcomes in the future


Tips for making healthy decisions:
1. Harnessing the hate regret from the future/notions of regret
2. Loss Aversion
3. Social interactions/influences and make activities observable to others


Money's disadvantages as a motivator:
A counter-effect by substituting intrinsic motivation for monetary rewards


Do not fight against/ignore our irrational self; instead harness our irrationality and work with it

[Kaydin]

0:00

this is one of those one in a hundred TED talks.

[emvtwwc]

He makes such good points and puts it into a perspective that not many people think about. We always try to reward people for doing things, but when we frame it as the potential of a loss, people are more inclined to do the activity because they are afraid of loss. I never really thought of it this way but it is so true! He approaches a great problem in healthcare which is compliance with treatment plans and taking charge of one's own health. Everyone is always told to eat healthier, exercise more, or take this prescription, vitamin, or physical therapy workout. Do people actually follow through? I have met tons of people that completely disregard it and continue doing what they are currently doing. By being aware of this and incorporating psychology into one's medical practice could emphasize the ethical principal of beneficence which is to act in the patients best interest. If we are always thinking about how to better serve our patients, then figuring out way for them to comply with treatment and improve their health is essential.
I have experienced many physicians myself that only tell me what to do, but never explain the why, what could be loss, or put it in a way where I feel like I need to comply. It does feel a little bit like manipulation though, persuading them towards doing an action that is not their preferred course of action which goes against the ethical principle autonomy, but again, it is reframing a situation for the benefit of the patient and the mutual goal of getting healthier. I do like how he also incorporated leading by example and using social influence. I think that physicians need to keep this in mind because it is hard for a physician who is overweight and unhealthy to tell a patient that they should eat and workout better. It also leads to decrease in compliance because if their physician is doing that, they believe they can too. If the physician is fit and healthy, and everyone around them are, then maybe it is that "feeling left out" mentality that will push them to change their behavior and be more motivated to improve their health with positive support.

[MrAlexanderTheG]

Seat belt saved my life!, but you'll never be rid of those people who will throw out that counter argument about how seat belts have killed some people. To that comment I say this, " You do what you choose at your own peril, just do not endanger or convince other's to join you in your stupidity"

[johnnykidblue]

Best quote:

“If I see a fly, I’m gunna get that fly”...with my weener.

[Bigfoot_With_Internet_Access]

One healthy decision people could make would be to stay out of my woods, but they still come in here

[fkmyoutube]

Me: Planning to have KFC later for lunch.

Ted: Here, watch this.

Me: Darn it, Universe. It was just KFC!

[ravig]

After watching this video my new year message for all my loved ones is to watch a Ted talk everyday relligiously 🙏

[spacecaptain]

Other times it's the doctors being irrational. For example, a doctor once told a disabled friend, who lives on less than 700 dollars a month, to buy more fresh produce and lean meats, and also some very expensive vitamins, as well as medication. She was literally unable to follow these instructions, but the doc insisted she could afford to do it if she really wanted to be healthy. Another doc prescribed a friend so much physical therapy and rest that my friend would have lost his job if he'd followed the doctor's orders. I get that the doctors were prescribing the healthiest option, but it is not helpful to instruct patients to do things that are not really doable. I mean, if my friend had lost his job, he'd have lost access to food, housing, AND that doctor.

[JeanPierreWhite]

Not only are humans irrational, the most rational humans lose out.

I read an analysis of personality types and the salaries they commanded. Rational individuals were the lowest paid.

Like David says here, in among all that irrational behavior is the spark that ignites creativity, courage etc. And those are worth their weight in gold.

[Coconut-]

Me 16 minutes and 53 seconds ago: "We should add lootcrates to healthcare"

Me now: *"OH MY GOD... ABSOLUTE MADMAN"*

[Hollywood]

Great presentation! Going to search for more of your content! 🙌🏼📈