Evaluating PM2.5‐Related health costs in China—Evidence from 140 Chinese cities

Introduction In recent years, China's economy has grown rapidly, and the health condition of Chinese residents has significantly improved. However, this rapid economic and social development has also brought a series of environmental problems, such as serious haze pollution, of which the main c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of health planning and management 2022-07, Vol.37 (4), p.2376-2394
Main Authors: Lu, Zhi‐Nan, Zhao, Mingyuan, Guo, Yunxia, Hao, Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agglomeration
Cities
Clusters
Costs
Economic development
Haze
haze pollution
Health care expenditures
health cost
Particulate matter
PM2.5
Pollution
Regional variations
Rivers
Social development
Spatial analysis
spatial correlation
Spatial distribution
Value
VOSL
Willingness to pay
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Summary:Introduction In recent years, China's economy has grown rapidly, and the health condition of Chinese residents has significantly improved. However, this rapid economic and social development has also brought a series of environmental problems, such as serious haze pollution, of which the main contents are PM2.5 particles. The objective of this study is to quantitatively estimate the PM2.5‐related health costs in China. Methods Based on city‐level data from 140 major Chinese cities as well as the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta city clusters in 2010, the value of a statistical life method based on willingness to pay was employed. Moreover, global and local Moran's I values were calculated to examine the spatial distribution of the health cost of haze pollution in China. Results In areas with heavy haze pollution or a high level of economic development, residents' health costs will also be higher. In addition, there is a spatial aggregation phenomenon in the spatial distribution of health costs in China, which is mainly in the form of “high‐high” aggregation, with high‐value cities converging with other high‐value cities. Conclusions The health cost of haze pollution in China is very considerable, and there are regional differences. Highlights The PM2.5‐related health costs in China are quantitatively estimated. The city‐level data from 140 Chinese cities and three city clusters are used. The VOSL method and spatial econometric techniques are employed. Haze‐related health cost is considerable with remarkable regional differences.
ISSN:0749-6753
1099-1751
DOI:10.1002/hpm.3478