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Working Papers
Working Papers
Teaching Reproducibility and Replicability while Teaching Econometrics in the Classroom
Teaching Reproducibility and Replicability while Teaching Econometrics in the Classroom
With Anson T. Y. Ho, Kim P. Huynh, David T. Jacho-Chavez, and Carson H. Rea [Forthcoming - Advances in Econometrics]
This research discusses how reproducibility and replicability can be taught to economists and social scientists while learning Econometrics. Instructors can utilize standard tools from Data Science and Machine Learning to teach classical undergraduate Econometrics curriculum. This paper emphasizes the usage of self-contained computing environments for students to complete and submit their Econometric practice exercises using open-source software. The demonstration centers around how instructors can create computer-based assignments that can be distributed electronically to students. The assignments are accompanied by code that automatically deploys a computing environment in the cloud where the assignment can be completed without the need for further software installation or a hardware upgrade. This teaches students how to prepare their work to be reproducible and replicable.
This research discusses how reproducibility and replicability can be taught to economists and social scientists while learning Econometrics. Instructors can utilize standard tools from Data Science and Machine Learning to teach classical undergraduate Econometrics curriculum. This paper emphasizes the usage of self-contained computing environments for students to complete and submit their Econometric practice exercises using open-source software. The demonstration centers around how instructors can create computer-based assignments that can be distributed electronically to students. The assignments are accompanied by code that automatically deploys a computing environment in the cloud where the assignment can be completed without the need for further software installation or a hardware upgrade. This teaches students how to prepare their work to be reproducible and replicable.
Marijuana Legalization and Suicide Among Older Adults
Marijuana Legalization and Suicide Among Older Adults
With Sara Markowitz [R&R - Health Economics]
Suicides rates among older adults have been rising over time in the United States. At the same time, more individuals have been suffering with chronic pain and illness, which are often underlying risk factors for suicide. As self-medication with marijuana has become common, we ask whether access to legal marijuana for medical and recreational purposes reduces suicide rates among older individuals. We find that suicide rates among older age groups decline following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries, especially among older Whites, men, and those with low levels of education.
Suicides rates among older adults have been rising over time in the United States. At the same time, more individuals have been suffering with chronic pain and illness, which are often underlying risk factors for suicide. As self-medication with marijuana has become common, we ask whether access to legal marijuana for medical and recreational purposes reduces suicide rates among older individuals. We find that suicide rates among older age groups decline following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries, especially among older Whites, men, and those with low levels of education.
Pain in the Hash: Effect of Marijuana Legislation on Health and Labor Market Outcomes
Pain in the Hash: Effect of Marijuana Legislation on Health and Labor Market Outcomes
In this paper, I investigate whether the relaxation of marijuana legislation is associated with changes in health, healthcare utilization, and labor market outcomes in individuals aged 50 and older. Since 1970, states have been decriminalizing and legalizing medical and recreational marijuana. In conjunction with the changing legal landscape is a rise in marijuana use among older adults. I explore these simultaneous trends to determine if marijuana decriminalization and legalization have changed older adults’ pain, health status, and other related health and labor outcomes. Leveraging restricted data from the Health and Retirement Study, I use difference-in-differences methods to estimate the effect of decriminalization, medical, and recreational marijuana legalization on pain, health status, hours worked, work status, and other health and labor outcomes. I also use duration models to explore the time in which individuals remain in a state of pain or poor health status and instrumental variables to understand the spillover effects marijuana’s complex relationship with health has on labor market participation. I find that health and labor outcomes improve in states after they legalize medical and recreational marijuana. These findings are consistent with previous research showing that the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with a decrease in pain and an increase in better health status. These findings hold significance for policymakers, especially in light of the ongoing legislative efforts to reschedule marijuana following the acknowledgment of marijuana's medicinal benefits from the Department of Health and Human Services.
In this paper, I investigate whether the relaxation of marijuana legislation is associated with changes in health, healthcare utilization, and labor market outcomes in individuals aged 50 and older. Since 1970, states have been decriminalizing and legalizing medical and recreational marijuana. In conjunction with the changing legal landscape is a rise in marijuana use among older adults. I explore these simultaneous trends to determine if marijuana decriminalization and legalization have changed older adults’ pain, health status, and other related health and labor outcomes. Leveraging restricted data from the Health and Retirement Study, I use difference-in-differences methods to estimate the effect of decriminalization, medical, and recreational marijuana legalization on pain, health status, hours worked, work status, and other health and labor outcomes. I also use duration models to explore the time in which individuals remain in a state of pain or poor health status and instrumental variables to understand the spillover effects marijuana’s complex relationship with health has on labor market participation. I find that health and labor outcomes improve in states after they legalize medical and recreational marijuana. These findings are consistent with previous research showing that the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with a decrease in pain and an increase in better health status. These findings hold significance for policymakers, especially in light of the ongoing legislative efforts to reschedule marijuana following the acknowledgment of marijuana's medicinal benefits from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Effect of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries on Marijuana Consumption in Older Adults
Effect of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries on Marijuana Consumption in Older Adults
Marijuana policies have become a crucial topic of discussion due to their economic, health, and social effects. While the literature on marijuana is expanding, most of it focuses on the general population, leaving a gap in understanding how it affects older adults. Many older adults use marijuana as an alternative pain reliever, but there is little information about how changes in marijuana access influence their use. This paper looks at how medical marijuana access and decriminalization affect marijuana demand among older adults.
Marijuana policies have become a crucial topic of discussion due to their economic, health, and social effects. While the literature on marijuana is expanding, most of it focuses on the general population, leaving a gap in understanding how it affects older adults. Many older adults use marijuana as an alternative pain reliever, but there is little information about how changes in marijuana access influence their use. This paper looks at how medical marijuana access and decriminalization affect marijuana demand among older adults.
To explore this, I analyze data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Marijuana Trend tables between 2002 and 2014. My findings show that after a medical marijuana dispensary opens, the percentage of older adults who report using marijuana in the past month increases. This suggests that access to medical marijuana could play a big role in whether older adults choose to consume cannabis. As more states consider marijuana legalization, these findings add to the conversation about how different groups, particularly older adults who may use marijuana for pain management, are impacted by these policy changes.
To explore this, I analyze data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Marijuana Trend tables between 2002 and 2014. My findings show that after a medical marijuana dispensary opens, the percentage of older adults who report using marijuana in the past month increases. This suggests that access to medical marijuana could play a big role in whether older adults choose to consume cannabis. As more states consider marijuana legalization, these findings add to the conversation about how different groups, particularly older adults who may use marijuana for pain management, are impacted by these policy changes.
Work in Progress
Work in Progress
Hospital Closures and Critical Access Hospital Designation
Hospital Closures and Critical Access Hospital Designation
With Ian McCarthy and Mayra Pineda Torres
In this paper, we investigate the effect of obtaining the critical access hospital (CAH) designation on hospital closures and mergers.
In this paper, we investigate the effect of obtaining the critical access hospital (CAH) designation on hospital closures and mergers.
Presentations
Presentations
Third Year Field Paper
Third Year Field Paper
November 3, 2022
Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation Proposal
October 4, 2023
3 Minute Thesis Finals
3 Minute Thesis Finals
March 26, 2024
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