Research

Working Papers
Latest version linked where publicly available. Feel free to email me for other drafts. 

Cleaning Up the Record? PHI Entry and Anticipatory Behavior
(2026, with Robert Nuscheler)

We study whether individuals strategically adjust health behaviour and healthcare utilization in anticipation of switching from Germany’s community-rated statutory health insurance to the risk-rated private health insurance system. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel and an event-study design, we distinguish between health dimensions that are likely to be used in underwriting and those that are not. We find no evidence of changes in self-reported health or other unobservable behaviours around the switch. By contrast, doctor visits, hospitalizations, and sick-leave days decline sharply in the years immediately preceding entry into private insurance and remain at lower levels thereafter. These findings suggest that individuals attempt to signal a favourable risk profile prior to switching, revealing a previously overlooked behavioural margin in Germany’s dual insurance system.

Wind Turbine Proximity and Health: Longitudinal Evidence from U.S. Households
(2025, with Douglas Almond & Osea Giuntella)
R&R at PNAS

Rapid growth of wind energy plays a key role in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, yet public concerns persist about its potential health effects—particularly through noise exposure. While some studies and media reports suggest that wind turbines may contribute to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and even suicide, existing evidence remains limited and inconclusive. This study combines geolocated data from the U.S. Wind Turbine Database with longitudinal survey data on over 120,000 households (2011–2023) and consumer purchasing records to assess whether proximity to wind turbines affects mental and physical health. We examine a wide range of outcomes, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, headaches and use of sleep aids and painkillers. Using an event-study design and multiple robustness checks, we find little to no evidence of adverse health effects from turbine exposure, and estimates are precise. Despite popular concerns and public opposition, wind energy  appears to pose minimal risk to public health.