Donald Kenkel

Information
Biography
Biographical Statement

Web Bio

Donald Kenkel's expertise is in areas of health economics and public sector economics. Broadly speaking, most of his research is on the economics of disease prevention and health promotion. He is the author of the chapter on "Prevention" in the Handbook of Health Economics (2000). He has conducted a series of studies on the economics of public health policies, including: alcohol taxes and other policies to prevent alcohol problems (Journal of Applied Econometrics 2001, American Economic Review Papers & Proceedings 2005); cigarette taxes to prevent youth smoking (Journal of Political Econom y 2002, Journal of Health Economics 2008); and advertising to promote smoking cessation (Journal of Political Economy 2 0 0 7 ). Another area of research and teaching interest is in cost-benefit analysis of public policies, especially policies that affect health.
Professional
Current Professional Activities

Donald Kenkel has been a member of the department since 1995. SInce 2011, he is jointly appointed as a Professor, Department of Economics. He is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Research
Current Research Activities

Donald Kenkel's current research includes studies of the economics of smoking, the impact of cigarette and food advertising, and direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical products. He is beginning a new project on the impact of health insurance expansions on the advertising and use of pharmaceuticals.
Extension
Education
Education

Ph.D. 1987 - University of Chicago, Economics M.A. 1983 - University of Chicago, Economics B.A. 1981 - University of Kentucky, Economics and Mathematics

Courses
Courses Taught
PAM 3300 - Intermediate Policy Analysis PAM 4380 - Economics of Public Health PAM 6920 - Health Economics II
Websites
Administration
Administrative Responsibilities
Co-Director, Institute on Health Economics, Health Behaviors and Disparities, Cornell Population Center
Publications
Selected Publications
Kenkel, D.S. (2000) "Prevention." Handbook of Health Economics, AJ Culyer and JP Newhouse, editors.[b o o k]
DeCicca, P, D.S. Kenkel, and and A. Mathios (2002). "Putting Out the Fires: Will Higher Taxes Reduce the Onset of Youth Smoking?" Journal of Political Economy. 110 (1): 144-169. [a b s t r a c t]
"Kenkel, D.S. (2005). "Are Alcohol Tax Hikes Fully Passed Through to Prices? Evidence from Alaska." American Economic Review Papers & Proceedings 95 (2): 2 7 3 - 2 7 7 . [Link to paper info]
Kenkel, D.S., D. Lillard, and A. Mathios (2006). “The Roles of High School Completion and GED Receipt in Smoking and Obesity” . Journal of Labor Economics Special Issue in Honor of Mark Berger 24 (3): 635-660. [a b s t r a c t]
Avery, R.J., D.S. Kenkel, D.Lillard, and A. Mathios (2007). “Private Profits and Public Health: Does Advertising Smoking Cessation Products Encourage Smokers to Quit?” Journal of Political Economy 115 (3): 447-481. [a b s t r a c t]
DeCicca, P., D.S. Kenkel, and A. Mathios. (2008). "Cigarette Taxes and the Transition from Youth to Adult Smoking: Smoking Initiation, Cessation, and Participation." Journal of Health Economics 27 (4): 904-917. [ a b s t r a c t]