December 07, 2023 | News | Award

Young Researcher Award for Emma Zai

Emma Zai from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) was awarded the AIES Young Researcher Award together with Yinan Liu (Renmin University of China) at the 28th AIES Annual Conference in Rome.

Emma Zai was awarded the AIES Young Researcher Award at the 28th AIES Annual Conference in Rome. © MPIDR

The Associazione Italiana di Economia Sanitaria (AIES) recognizes outstanding research by young scientists in the field of health economics and health management. The prize is dedicated to authors under the age of 35 who present their work during a special session at the AIES Annual Conference. The award committee evaluates the papers based on their significance and originality.

Emma Zai presenting her winning paper in Rome. © private

The researchers were recognized for their paper, "The Unintended Effects of Medicaid Aging Waivers on Informal Caregiving." Medicaid Aging Waivers incentivize older adults in the U.S. who need long-term care to stay at home rather than move into a nursing home. This policy may inadvertently shift the burden of care to family members. Lui and Zai analyzed data from 1998 to 2014 to determine whether Medicaid Aging Waivers affect the likelihood that people provide informal care for their elderly parents.