Dr. michael kortt

Title: Economic Stress and Health

This project investigates how economic stress – specifically personal debt – shapes health across two countries. Using longitudinal data from Australia’s Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and the U.S. National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), we test whether debt and debt-related financial strain are linked to higher body mass index (BMI) and obesity, poorer self-reported health, and lower mental health (SF-36 mental health component score). We examine behavioural and stress-pathway mechanisms (e.g., reduced exercise, diet quality, sleep disruption, health care foregone) and assess whether associations persist over time after adjusting for age, sex, income, education, employment, household composition, and urban/rural residence. By leveraging repeated observations and cross-national comparisons, the study provides new evidence on the generalisability and potential causality of financial stress as a determinant of health. Findings aim to inform integrated policy responses – spanning consumer finance, social protection, and public health – that mitigate debt burden and improve population health.

Title: The Economics of Obesity: Understanding Time Preference and BMI

This project investigates how time preference – specifically the tendency to prioritise immediate rewards over future benefits – shapes body mass index (BMI) and obesity. Using longitudinal data, we examine whether individuals with higher discount rates are more likely to have higher BMI, after adjusting for age, sex, income, education, and metropolitan or non-metropolitan residence. The study explores behavioural mechanisms linking time preference to weight outcomes, including dietary choices, physical activity, and long-term health decision-making. By leveraging repeated observations, we assess whether these associations persist over time while accounting for observed socio-demographic characteristics and potential unobserved individual differences. The research aims to provide new evidence on the role of time preference as a behavioural determinant of obesity, while recognising the challenges of establishing causality. Findings will inform behavioural and public health policies – including financial incentives, health education, and interventions that encourage long-term planning – to promote healthier choices, prevent obesity, and improve population health.