Dr. Eric Yao

Dr. Eric Yao is an Associate Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics at Bridgewater State University. His research lies at the intersection of applied microeconomics, applied microeconometrics, health economics, and labor economics, with a particular focus on how individuals make health-related decisions over time and how these decisions influence employment, insurance participation, and health outcomes. His work examines both medical and non-medical inputs into health production, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between health behaviors, labor market outcomes, and public policy.

Dr. Yao’s research combines forward-looking economic theory with dynamic empirical modeling, allowing him to study individual decision-making in complex and evolving health environments. His empirical approach reflects the traditions of applied microeconomics and labor economics, while his research questions are primarily situated within health economics. As a result, his work bridges multiple fields and methodologies, integrating insights from behavioral economics, applied econometrics, and health policy analysis.

A central feature of Dr. Yao’s research agenda is the use of theory-based dynamic models together with detailed panel data to analyze health and employment behaviors. This methodological framework enables him to generate meaningful predictions, gain deeper insights into behavioral responses, and evaluate a broader range of policy scenarios than can typically be achieved using purely reduced-form or a-theoretical approaches. His work has been published in journals such as Health Economics Review, Journal of Economic Development, and the International Economic Journal, and his ongoing research examines topics including maternal employment and child health disparities, health insurance and labor market outcomes, environmental regulation and labor dynamics, and the economic impacts of chronic diseases.

Dr. Yao’s research, teaching, and professional service reflect a commitment to rigorous empirical analysis, interdisciplinary inquiry, and the application of economic reasoning to complex real-world problems, particularly those related to health behavior, labor market dynamics, and public policy.