Sample interview questions: How do you assess the economic impacts of transportation projects and policies on public health outcomes?
Sample answer:
1. Identify the Relevant Health Outcomes:
- Begin by defining the specific health outcomes that may be impacted by the transportation project or policy. Examples could include:
- Air pollution-related illnesses (asthma, respiratory issues)
- Physical activity levels (obesity, heart disease)
- Mental well-being (stress, anxiety)
- Road safety (injuries, fatalities)
2. Collect and Analyze Data:
- Gather relevant data on the health outcomes of interest, including:
- Historical data on health indicators in the affected area
- Demographic information (age, income, ethnicity)
- Environmental factors (air quality, noise levels)
- Transportation patterns (traffic volume, mode share)
3. Establish Cause-and-Effect Relationships:
- Use statistical methods (e.g., regression analysis) to assess the relationship between transportation factors and health outcomes.
- Control for confounding variables that may influence both transportation and health (e.g., socioeconomic status)
- Consider both short-term and long-term effects
4. Quantify the Economic Impacts:
- Estimate the economic costs and benefits associated with the transportation project or policy. Include:
- Direct costs (construction, maintenance, operation)
- Indirect costs (congestion, lost productivity)
- Health care costs (treatment of diseases linked to transportation)
- Quality-of-life benefits (reduced stress, improved mental well-being)
5. Compare Costs and Benefits:
- Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to compare the total economic costs and benefits of the transportation project or policy.
- Consider both tangible (monetary) and intangible (non-monetary) costs and benefits
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_4_28/Transportation%20Economist