Abstract

GARRIDO PENA, Francisco; LOPEZ FERNANDEZ, Luís Andrés  and  GIL GARCIA, Eugenia. Influenza A from the Rational Choice Theory: Proposals for Decision Making in Prevention Policies. Rev. Esp. Salud Publica [online]. 2009, vol.83, n.6, pp.785-790. ISSN 2173-9110.

This article is a reflection on the social uncertainty caused by Influenza A and on the consequences that it can have on decision making in health promotion policies. We use concepts and metaphors of the Rational Choice Theory, among them, the "ingratitude effect" or the "distrust effect", as we analyse how these can become obstacles for the efficiency of prevention policies. Then, we focus on the information asymmetry of the principal-agent relationship, and we propose measures to diminish the "moral risk" that they cause. We finish by advancing some proposals for designing lines and strategies of action in health promotion policies.

Keywords : Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Health promotion; Risk; Uncertainty; Information dissemination; Health policy.

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