The passage of universal helmet legislation requiring motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helme... more The passage of universal helmet legislation requiring motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helmets is a timely and controversial issue with far-reaching public health implications, especially as the number of motorcycle fatalities continues to rise. In 2008, only 20 states had a universal helmet policy, an effective safety measure for reducing motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries.We used state-specific longitudinal data for the continental United States from 1990 through 2005 to determine which industry, political, economic, and demographic factors had a significant influence on the enactment of universal helmet policies. Our findings suggest that political climate and ideology are important predictors of helmet policies.
Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalitie... more Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities. In this chapter, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by focusing on their long-term impact as well as their effect on motorcycle use. Using state-level longitudinal data from 1975 to 2005, we estimate how the adoption and repeal of UHLs influence motorcycle safety. Our results confirm earlier findings that adoption of UHLs prevents fatalities, whereas repeals lead to higher fatality rates. We provide evidence that UHLs operate as intended, decreasing fatalities mainly by improving safety rather than by reducing motorcycle riding. Finally, using dynamic specifications, we show that the long-term effects of both adoption and repeal persist in the years beyond the policy change.
This article identifies and describes several methodologic challenges encountered in economic eva... more This article identifies and describes several methodologic challenges encountered in economic evaluations of substance abuse interventions for adolescents. Topics include study design, the choice of perspective, the estimation of costs and outcomes, and the generalizability of results. Recommendations are offered for confronting these challenges using examples from research on adolescent substance abuse and dependency/addiction. 2008 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved.
The journal of mental health policy and economics, 2009
Much of the research on adult children of alcoholics has focused on the transmission of drinking ... more Much of the research on adult children of alcoholics has focused on the transmission of drinking patterns from parents to their children and the development of alcohol-related problems. Less is known about how exposure to parental problem drinking affects children as they progress into adulthood in terms of other mental health outcomes. This is crucial information, in part because the average age of onset for depression and other mental health disorders is during late adolescence or young adulthood. The objective of this study was to rigorously assess the long-term impacts of parental problem drinking on adult children's mental and self-perceived overall health. The study improves on previous literature by analyzing a range of mental health markers and other predictors of morbidity, by focusing on a period of adulthood that only a limited number of studies have examined, and by using data from a highly regarded and nationally representative panel study. The analysis used data fr...
Universal helmet laws are widely believed to be effective in reducing fatal motorcycle injuries. ... more Universal helmet laws are widely believed to be effective in reducing fatal motorcycle injuries. In this paper, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by comparing motorcycle fatalities of in-state versus out-of-state riders. We study whether fatalities of out-of-state riders are disproportionately higher for states without helmet policies. For this purpose, we use state-level longitudinal data for 1982-2008 from
Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalitie... more Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities. In this chapter, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by focusing on their long-term impact as well as their effect on motorcycle use. Using state-level longitudinal data from 1975 to 2005, we estimate how the adoption and repeal of UHLs influence motorcycle safety. Our results confirm earlier findings that adoption of UHLs prevents fatalities, whereas repeals lead to higher fatality rates. We provide evidence that UHLs operate as intended, decreasing fatalities mainly by improving safety rather than by reducing motorcycle riding. Finally, using dynamic specifications, we show that the long-term effects of both adoption and repeal persist in the years beyond the policy change.
Concierge medicine (also called retainer practices or consumer-focused care) represents a new app... more Concierge medicine (also called retainer practices or consumer-focused care) represents a new approach to the delivery of primary care. This model involves more personalized attention and greater resources for individual patients, thus limiting the number of patients who can be served at each practice. All enrolled members must pay an annual membership fee or retainer. Given the short history and novelty of concierge medicine, this article explores the clinical, economic, marketing, ethical, and policy implications of this innovative approach to primary care.
The passage of universal helmet legislation requiring motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helme... more The passage of universal helmet legislation requiring motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helmets is a timely and controversial issue with far-reaching public health implications, especially as the number of motorcycle fatalities continues to rise. In 2008, only 20 states had a universal helmet policy, an effective safety measure for reducing motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries.We used state-specific longitudinal data for the continental United States from 1990 through 2005 to determine which industry, political, economic, and demographic factors had a significant influence on the enactment of universal helmet policies. Our findings suggest that political climate and ideology are important predictors of helmet policies.
Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalitie... more Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities. In this chapter, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by focusing on their long-term impact as well as their effect on motorcycle use. Using state-level longitudinal data from 1975 to 2005, we estimate how the adoption and repeal of UHLs influence motorcycle safety. Our results confirm earlier findings that adoption of UHLs prevents fatalities, whereas repeals lead to higher fatality rates. We provide evidence that UHLs operate as intended, decreasing fatalities mainly by improving safety rather than by reducing motorcycle riding. Finally, using dynamic specifications, we show that the long-term effects of both adoption and repeal persist in the years beyond the policy change.
This article identifies and describes several methodologic challenges encountered in economic eva... more This article identifies and describes several methodologic challenges encountered in economic evaluations of substance abuse interventions for adolescents. Topics include study design, the choice of perspective, the estimation of costs and outcomes, and the generalizability of results. Recommendations are offered for confronting these challenges using examples from research on adolescent substance abuse and dependency/addiction. 2008 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved.
The journal of mental health policy and economics, 2009
Much of the research on adult children of alcoholics has focused on the transmission of drinking ... more Much of the research on adult children of alcoholics has focused on the transmission of drinking patterns from parents to their children and the development of alcohol-related problems. Less is known about how exposure to parental problem drinking affects children as they progress into adulthood in terms of other mental health outcomes. This is crucial information, in part because the average age of onset for depression and other mental health disorders is during late adolescence or young adulthood. The objective of this study was to rigorously assess the long-term impacts of parental problem drinking on adult children's mental and self-perceived overall health. The study improves on previous literature by analyzing a range of mental health markers and other predictors of morbidity, by focusing on a period of adulthood that only a limited number of studies have examined, and by using data from a highly regarded and nationally representative panel study. The analysis used data fr...
Universal helmet laws are widely believed to be effective in reducing fatal motorcycle injuries. ... more Universal helmet laws are widely believed to be effective in reducing fatal motorcycle injuries. In this paper, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by comparing motorcycle fatalities of in-state versus out-of-state riders. We study whether fatalities of out-of-state riders are disproportionately higher for states without helmet policies. For this purpose, we use state-level longitudinal data for 1982-2008 from
Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalitie... more Universal helmet laws (UHLs) are widely believed to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities. In this chapter, we further investigate the effectiveness of such policies by focusing on their long-term impact as well as their effect on motorcycle use. Using state-level longitudinal data from 1975 to 2005, we estimate how the adoption and repeal of UHLs influence motorcycle safety. Our results confirm earlier findings that adoption of UHLs prevents fatalities, whereas repeals lead to higher fatality rates. We provide evidence that UHLs operate as intended, decreasing fatalities mainly by improving safety rather than by reducing motorcycle riding. Finally, using dynamic specifications, we show that the long-term effects of both adoption and repeal persist in the years beyond the policy change.
Concierge medicine (also called retainer practices or consumer-focused care) represents a new app... more Concierge medicine (also called retainer practices or consumer-focused care) represents a new approach to the delivery of primary care. This model involves more personalized attention and greater resources for individual patients, thus limiting the number of patients who can be served at each practice. All enrolled members must pay an annual membership fee or retainer. Given the short history and novelty of concierge medicine, this article explores the clinical, economic, marketing, ethical, and policy implications of this innovative approach to primary care.
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Papers by jenny homer