Brian Elbel
Assistant Professor of Population Health and Health Policy (NYU School of Medicine)

Brian Elbel studies consumer and patient decision making as it relates to health and healthcare, largely from the perspective of behavioral economics. He has a particular interest in vulnerable populations and the role and influence of public policy. He is engaged in research examining consumer choice of health plans and hospitals, including response to quality information. Additionally, he is examining choices that influence health more directly, including how individuals choose which foods to consume. He is examining a number of policies that attempt to influence obesity, including calorie labeling and bringing supermarkets into “food deserts”. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the Russell Sage Foundation. His research has been featured in media outlets, including The New York Times, NPR, and various television news reports. In addition to his appointment at Wagner, he also has an academic appointment with the NYU School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine.

Dr. Elbel has a B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.P.H and Ph.D in Health Policy/Health Economics from Yale University.