Communication and Health Investments for Elderly Women

This study investigates how household communication plays a role in elderly women's take-up of health check-ups in rural Tamil Nadu, India. First, we survey elders and their caretakers to measure demand for check-ups for elders. We measure how interest in check-ups changes when we offer different versions of transportation support, to understand how much interest in check-ups are affected by the degree of caretaker involvement required. Second, we conduct a randomized evaluation of interventions to improve take-up of free health check-ups at a nearby private hospital. We will cross-randomize two interventions. The first randomizes who is informed about the check-up: either only the elder is informed or both the elder and the caretaker are informed about the check-up. The second randomizes whether free transportation is provided to and from the check-up. We will measure take-up of the check-up. We will also measure elders' willingness to mention the check-up to the caretaker.