David Still

David Still (born September 30, 1980) is a Research Programming Consultant for the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary. He is the owner and CEO of Arc Reactions Inc. a mixed media marketing and website development company company based out of Calgary with offices in Calgary and New Delhi. Recently he and his compnay worked on a new website for the Reservoir Simulation Lab in the Faculty of Engeneering at the university and as a result has been listed as an "Approved Vendor" for the UofC. Still is highly involved in the Calgary Community, volunteering for the Rotary Club of Calgary, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Research in Health Economics at the UofC
Current Paper: Generational Accounting in Canadian Healthcare Taxes and Transfers

Abstract: This paper utilizes existing healthcare spending and population age demographics on the provincial level to predict healthcare costs and generational tax burdens by province. Using existing provincial fertility and mortality rates the future provincial age demographics were predicted. These future demographics were then interacted with present healthcare costs by age yielding total healthcare costs per year by province. Generational account totals and generational age specific tax profiles were calculated for cohorts spanning 10 years beginning with those born in 1948 and ending with those born in 2058. By varying birthrates, inflation of healthcare costs, and immigration estimates a range of possible generational accounts was predicted. The predictions of the model proved to be extremely robust regardless of the choice in parameters. Analyzing the predictions, the paper shows that a substantial burden exists for future generations, with total generational healthcare obligations rising significantly over the next few decades and placed primarily on the generations born after 1980. Further, the paper shows significant differences between the provinces, with the highest healthcare burden lying in the Atlantic provinces. In conclusion, an number of policies that would address the imbalance of inter-generational healthcare accounts are suggested and the effects of the provincial differences discussed.

This Paper was envisioned and is co-authored by Professor Herbert Emery of the UofC Department of Economics. It is currently in the editing stage and is due to be published in the University of Calgary School of Public Policy Journal sometime in 2011.

Previous Paper: Examining the Association Between Socioeconomic Position and Body Mass Index in 1978 and 2005 among Canadian working-Age Women and Men

Abstract: Objectives We examined the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and body mass index (BMI) among Canadian men and women in 1978 and 2005. We examined both the average SEP–BMI association, and variation in this association across the distribution of BMI. Methods We analysed data from two nationally representative surveys containing measured height and weight data: the Canada Health Survey (1978) and the Canadian Community Health Survey (2005). Ordinary least squares and quantile regression were used to examine average and distributional SEP–BMI associations, respectively, for each survey. Results Education was inversely associated with BMI for men and women at both time points, and there was no evidence of narrowing between 1978 and 2005. This association was stronger for women than men, and was particularly strong for heavier women. Education and income related differently to BMI.

Other Authors of this Paper include: Auld C, McLaren L, Godley J, and Gauvin L. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19882301

Education
Still graduated from the University of Calgary with a Masters in Economics including a specialization in Health Economics in 2009, while completing his masters he worked as a Research Associate for the Faculty of Medicine in Community Health Sciences

Still started his postsecondary education at Queens University in September of 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, after completing his first degree he went on to complete a second Honours Degree in Economics in only 2 years. While at Queens he Chaired the International Development Conference (IDC) for two consecutive years in 2004 and 2005, was an contributing photographer for the Queens Tricolour Yearbook, and the Departmental Student Council Rep for the Physics and Economics Departments during his respective tenure in each departments. He also Spearheaded the "Professor Series" of lectures in the Queens Physics Department - a series of lectures targeted to current students on cutting-edge research in the physics department.

References and links
http://www.david-still.com

http://www.arcreactions.com

http://www.ucalgaryreservoirsimulation.ca