Fat taxes and thin subsidies: Prices, diet, and health outcomes

By Sean B. Cash, David L. Sunding, David Zilberman. 2005

136 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Abstract “Fat taxes” have been proposed as a way of addressing food-related health concerns. In this paper, we investigate the possible effects of “thin subsidies”, consumption subsidies for healthier foods. Empirical simulations, based on data from the Continuing Study of Food Intake by Individuals, are used to calculate the potential health benefits of subsidies on certain classes of fruits and vegetables in the United States. Estimates of the cost per statistical life saved through such subsidies compare favorably with existing U.S. government programs.

Subfields: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/7e1ad9316884742068ca92e9f0a5f737146517c2

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Citations in the corpus

Economic Factors Affecting Diversified Farming Systems (2013, background): “…contributing to nutrition deficits and obesity epidemics worldwide is also becoming an important concern, particularly for more developed countries (Cash et al. 2005, Alston et al. 2006) Thus, there is an important role for policies and regulations to drive a suite of initiatives that aim to…”
Forced Choice Restriction in Promoting Sustainable Food Consumption: Intended and Unintended Effects of the Mandatory Vegetarian Day in Helsinki Schools (2013, background): “…Fahlman et al. 2008; Nissinen et al. 2007; Saarinen et al. 2012; Stutts et al. 2011); taxes to make prices reflect the social cost of food (e.g., Cash et al. 2005; Vinnari and Tapio 2012; Wirsenius et al. 2011); libertarian paternalistic choice architecture, that is, modifying food environments…”