HIV/AIDS, risk and intertemporal choice

Her experimental data also show that unprotected sexual behavior appears to be partly an economic decision explicable by individual risk and time preferences. Therefore education on prevention methods alone is not sufficient to prevent the further spread of HIV. Informing individuals on both the actual infection risk and the actual economic costs, e.g. the reduced future consumption possibilities, will further reduce unprotected sexual behavior and stimulate anticipatory savings. The latter will increase the coping possibilities of individuals that do contract the virus, improving social welfare in the countries hardest hit.