Switching the default rule for an AIDS test

In Behavioral Finance class we frequently mention the importance of defaults. For instance many of you probably have seen Dan Ariely discuss organ donations. If not, watch it, it is good.

Well here is more evidence from the Nudge blog · Switching the default rule for an AIDS test:

"The change to opt-out helped Botswana increase acceptance of AIDS tests from 64 percent to 83 percent in just one year. Test rates in clinics in Zimbabwe went from 65 percent to 99 percent with a similar change."

Again it is one of those things that should not matter, but ends up having huge consequences.