David M. Cutler

David M. Cutler is the Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics at Harvard University and served as interim Dean of Social Science from January to June 2025. He is a faculty member in the Department of Economics within Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and holds secondary appointments at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Cutler previously served as associate dean for Social Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences from 2003 to 2008 and was designated a Harvard College Professor from 2014 to 2019.

Cutler earned his AB from Harvard University in 1987 and completed his PhD in Economics from MIT in 1991. His academic career at Harvard began in 1991 as an Assistant Professor of Economics, was promoted to John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Social Sciences in 1995, and received tenure in 1997.

Professor Cutler's research focuses primarily on health economics and public policy, examining healthcare system efficiency, medical technology adoption, healthcare costs, and the economic implications of health policy decisions. His work bridges economics with practical policy applications, influencing healthcare reform discussions at both state and national levels. He has made significant contributions to understanding administrative costs in healthcare, the impact of medical innovation on health outcomes, and the economics of the opioid epidemic.

Cutler's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on healthcare system analysis, with particular attention to cost drivers, technology adoption, and policy interventions. His work spans telemedicine impacts, AI applications in healthcare, pharmaceutical integration models, and administrative cost reduction strategies. A notable trend in his scholarship is the examination of structural factors affecting healthcare delivery, including health system organization, physician practice patterns, and the impact of policy changes like Medicaid expansion.

• Harvard College Professor (2014-2019)
• Member of the National Academy of Medicine

Professor Cutler has served in significant advisory roles throughout his career, including on the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Council during the Clinton Administration. He has advised presidential campaigns of Bill Bradley, John Kerry, and Barack Obama, serving as Senior Health Care Advisor for the Obama Presidential Campaign. Cutler was also a key advisor in formulating Massachusetts' cost control legislation and serves on the state's Health Policy Commission. His research has been supported by numerous grants focused on healthcare economics and policy analysis.

As a leading scholar in health economics, Cutler maintains active research collaborations across Harvard University and with institutions nationwide. His work influences both academic discourse and practical healthcare policy decisions, particularly in Massachusetts where he contributes to state-level healthcare reform efforts through his service on the Health Policy Commission.