David Asch

David Asch is a highly respected behavioral economist, physician, and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the university and holds professorships at both the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School. Using behavioral economics, which studies how psychological factors influence our financial decisions, he seeks to improve health care for both doctors and patients. He aims to understand why people make certain choices about their health and how to “nudge” them toward better outcomes. His research covers a wide range of topics, from patient behaviors to how people interact with new medical technologies and insurance plans. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation from 2012 to 2022. During this time, he helped transform the way healthcare is delivered to patients. He also founded and directed the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which focused on helping vulnerable populations and reducing health disparities. David has authored over 500 published papers and is a recipient of many awards for his research and mentorship.