The Power of Faith: Effects of an Imam-Led Information Campaign on Labor Supply and Social Interactions
54 Pages Posted: 12 Nov 2024
Abstract
We conduct a randomized controlled trial in rural Pakistan, comparing the effects of a remote awareness campaign with and without Imam-led loudspeaker endorsements on strategies to contain disease spread. Our results show that labor supply and social interactions decrease significantly only when religious leaders support the campaign, particularly among men. These results cannot be explained by differences in the mode or frequency of treatment across groups. Our findings—compatible with predictions from a model that analyzes the individual trade-off between prevention benefits and losses from forgone income—highlight the critical role of religious figures in shaping public responses to health crises.
Keywords: Labor, Health, Religion, RCT, Information Campaign
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