Our primary conclusion is that there is a lack of compelling evidence that incentives of any form represent a compelling NCD reduction strategy .
The rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ) poses substantial health and economic challenges to both individuals and society .
Application of incentive-based strategies based on traditional and behavioural economic theory has emerged as a potential strategy to address rising rates of NCDs .
Yet , whether or not incentives truly represent a promising strategy for addressing NCDs has not been systematic ally addressed nor is it clear whether certain behavioural economic strategies outperform others or simply offering a cash-based incentive for meeting a goal .
In this systematic review we aim to determine whether there is an evidence base for any of these strategies .
Financial incentives and purchase restrictions in a food benefit program affect the types of foods and beverages purchased: results from a randomized trial
Background This research evaluated the effects of financial incentives and purchase restrictions on food purchasing in a food benefit program for low income people . Methods Participants ( n=279 ) were r and omized to groups : 1 ) Incentive- 30 % financial incentive for fruits and vegetables purchased with food benefits ; 2 ) Restriction- no purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages , sweet baked goods , or c and ies with food benefits ; 3 ) Incentive plus Restriction ; or 4 ) Control- no incentive or restrictions . Participants received a study -specific debit card where funds were added monthly for 12-weeks . Food purchase receipts were collected over 16 weeks . Total dollars spent on grocery purchases and by targeted food categories were computed from receipts . Group differences were examined using general linear models . Results Weekly purchases of fruit significantly increased in the Incentive plus Restriction ( $ 4.8 ) compared to the Restriction ( $ 1.7 ) and Control ( $ 2.1 ) groups ( p < .01 ) . Sugar-sweetened beverage purchases significantly decreased in the Incentive plus Restriction(−$0.8 per week ) and Restriction ( $ -1.4 per week ) groups compared to the Control group ( + $ 1.5 ; p < .0001 ) . Sweet baked goods purchases significantly decreased in the Restriction ( −$0.70 per week ) compared to the Control group ( + $ 0.82 per week ; p < .01 ) . Conclusions Paired financial incentives and restrictions on foods and beverages purchased with food program funds may support more healthful food purchases compared to no incentives or restrictions . Clinical trial registration Clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT02643576
Our primary conclusion is that there is a lack of compelling evidence that incentives of any form represent a compelling NCD reduction strategy .
The rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ) poses substantial health and economic challenges to both individuals and society .
Application of incentive-based strategies based on traditional and behavioural economic theory has emerged as a potential strategy to address rising rates of NCDs .
Yet , whether or not incentives truly represent a promising strategy for addressing NCDs has not been systematic ally addressed nor is it clear whether certain behavioural economic strategies outperform others or simply offering a cash-based incentive for meeting a goal .
In this systematic review we aim to determine whether there is an evidence base for any of these strategies .