Should We Choose Treatments by Comparing Hazard Functions?

Appelbaum, Elie (2026): Should We Choose Treatments by Comparing Hazard Functions?

Abstract

Hazard functions are widely used for comparing treatments, often through pointwise comparisons of their values over time. This note shows that such comparisons provide a sufficient but not necessary condition for treatment ranking. We demonstrate that the appropriate comparison criterion is based on cumulative hazard functions, i.e., the integrals of hazard functions over time. This perspective clarifies the interpretation of hazard-based comparisons and has implications for cases where hazard functions cross. The results suggest that commonly used comparison rules may be overly restrictive and may fail to identify clear treatment preferences.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Hazard Functions, Treatment Choice, Areas under Hazard Functions, Decision Rule.
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General > C18 - Methodological Issues: General; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C9 - Design of Experiments > C90 - General; D - Microeconomics > D8 - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty > D81 - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty; D - Microeconomics > D8 - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty > D89 - Other; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I10 - General

References

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