Honors Projects

Abstract

This research examines what effect education has on people’s decision-making. More specifically, whether better education leads to better decisions and health outcomes, and why that is important for optometry. Every decision someone makes depends on some type of information, whether it is heard, read about, watched, or experienced. The more information someone has, the more confident someone can be in the decisions they make. Access to information and to education, whether it is through school, libraries, or news channels, is not always equal. It is important that people are informed about subjects as important as their health, by those who have that background knowledge and information. Knowing what effect education has on decision making and health outcomes can push health care providers to continue to spread their information and talk about the importance of healthy habits. This will slowly help ease the burden on patients and on the healthcare system. Data from the OECD and the World Bank published in April of 2020 looked at the influence of education on health over the span of 20 years. This study and data looked at enrollment rates at various levels of education and levels of life expectancy of birth, deaths from cancer, and school life expectancy. A more educated population leads to a healthier population. With increased education, people will make better decisions and therefore make healthier decisions. This research is important because of the impact it can have on preventing future problems.

Department

Biological Sciences

Major

Biology

First Advisor

Raymond Larsen

First Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Second Advisor

Sharon Schaeffer

Second Advisor Department

Public and Allied Health

Third Advisor

Christine Shaal

Third Advisor Department

Honors Program

Publication Date

Fall 12-12-2021

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