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Peterson CL. Inequality and health: Can medical practice address the consequences of inequalities? J Eval Clin Pract 2024. [PMID: 38975616 DOI: 10.1111/jep.14067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extent to which governments provide socioeconomic supports has been highlighted by their spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has implications for patterns of inequality, in particular on exacerbating unequal health and well-being. RESULTS Inequity has expanded due to neoliberalism, a market-based approach that has endured for more than four decades. Together with COVID-19, it has developed and exposed many structural governance differences. DISCUSSION There are a number of examples presented of the effects of inequalities on health and well-being. The role of general practice in addressing these is discussed and challenges are highlighted, especially those relating to payment systems and workforce constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris L Peterson
- Department of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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2
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Dai B, Amarteifio ENA, Kyere F, Kwasi Sampene A. Examining the dynamics between economic development, tourism, renewable energy and life expectancy in the Nordic economies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118900. [PMID: 38642635 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
As the world struggles with pressing issues like climate change and sustainable development, affecting health outcomes and environmental quality, the Nordic regionsare at the forefront of major global challenges. This paper investigates the role of human capital, renewable energy use, tourism, natural resources, and economic growth in shaping life in the Nordic region i.e., Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland).Utilizing panel data spanning from 1990 to 2020, the Driscoll and Kraay standard error (DSK) technique is employed to analyze this intricate interplay. The study reveals that in the Nordic context, sustainable economic growth, bolstered by investments in human capital and the widespread acceptance of renewable energy sources, has been positively associated with increased life expectancies. Furthermore, prudent management of natural resources has helped mitigate adverse health effects related to depletion, maintaining environmental and public health standards. The thriving tourism industry has also been shown to influence lifespan in this region positively. On the contrary, the empirical finding contended that an adverse correlation exists between carbon emissions and LEX. This research underscores the importance of a comprehensive and balanced approach that considers economic development, sustainable development, and public health in pursuing longer and healthier lives, providing valuable insights for policymakers and regions seeking to replicate these positive outcomes.The findings of this study are both conceptually reliable and empirically robust, providing important insights for the formulation of environmental and health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baozhen Dai
- Department of Labor and Social Security, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, 210009, China.
| | - Edwina Naa Amerley Amarteifio
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiangsu University, School of Management, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Francis Kyere
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - Agyemang Kwasi Sampene
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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3
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Ulucak R, Danish, Zhang Y, Chen R, Qiu Y. Income Inequality, Economic Complexity, and Renewable Energy Impacts in Controlling Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions. EVALUATION REVIEW 2024; 48:119-142. [PMID: 37154303 DOI: 10.1177/0193841x231173766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have been conducted on the role of renewable energy in the environment, literature has ignored the potential role of socioeconomic indicators in renewable energy and pollution nexus. Also, critical questions arose with the critical factors, such as income inequality and economic complexity, have not been answered properly. This study explores the nexus between income inequality, economic complexity, renewable energy consumption, GDP per capita, and pollution and thus aims to reach efficient policy strategies by revealing empirical evidence. The study follows an environmental impact model structure and conducts the panel-corrected standard errors and fixed effect regression. BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are selected to conduct our research. Annual data covering the period 1990-2017 for the sample countries are employed. Consumption-based carbon dioxide emissions as an indicator of environmental pollution are used since income inequality makes more sense in terms of the consumption side of an economy and is more related to consumers rather than the production sector. The obtained results reveal that income inequality has a positive and significant impact on consumption-based carbon dioxide emissions. However, GDP per capita, renewable energy, and economic complexity reduce pollution. It is also observed that the interaction term of inequality and renewable energy decreases emissions. Findings confirm that socioeconomic indicators, such as economic complexity and income inequality with the interaction of renewable energy, are crucial factors in reducing emissions and designing a greener future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Recep Ulucak
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Danish
- School of Economics and Trade, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaoqi Zhang
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Agricultural and Resource Economics College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA
| | - Yiting Qiu
- School of Economics and Trade, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Walther D, Chou KT. Just Transition on air quality governance: a case study of heavy-duty diesel truck protests in Taiwan. SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE 2023; 18:1-19. [PMID: 37363306 PMCID: PMC10152020 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-023-01311-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Just Transitions are gaining attention in environmental research, and most studies have focused on climate change; however, the insights from this work may be usefully applied to the rarely discussed area in just transition studies. This article uses traditional dimensions of environmental and social justice, such as distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative justice, to understand why heavy-duty diesel truck drivers fought back against stricter air pollution regulations while demanding destigmatization. The protest resulted in policy failure, and Taiwan's transition to cleaner, newer diesel trucks were halted. This study finds that the key social contextual factor in Taiwan's transportation industry was the labor relations of license-leasing. The drivers' protest began with a lack of procedural justice, and communication occurred only after the law was passed. There was insufficient regard for procedural justice, and although the drivers were concerned, the new rule would significantly impact their right to work and life. Furthermore, the drivers felt disrespected and even carried the stigma of creating environmental pollution. The article assumes that the results should be different if the governance mechanism can handle the key factor in a social context and make appropriate arrangements for the four dimensions of Just Transition. This argument may be relevant for other countries looking to transition from older diesel vehicles to cleaner vehicles through Just Transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Walther
- Risk Society and Policy Research Center (RSPRC), National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Tien Chou
- Risk Society and Policy Research Center (RSPRC), National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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5
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McFarland MJ, Hill TD, Montez JK. Income Inequality and Population Health: Examining the Role of Social Policy. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 64:2-20. [PMID: 35848112 DOI: 10.1177/00221465221109202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the relationship between income inequality and life expectancy often speculate about the role of policy, but direct empirical research is limited. Drawing on the neo-materialist perspective, we examine whether the longitudinal association between income inequality and life expectancy is mediated and moderated by policy liberalism in U.S. states (2000-2014). More liberal policy contexts are characterized by greater efforts to regulate the economy, redistribute income, and protect vulnerable groups and lesser efforts to penalize deviant social behavior. We find that state-level income inequality is inversely associated with policy liberalism and life expectancy. The association between income inequality and life expectancy was not mediated by policy liberalism but was moderated by it. The association is attenuated in states with more liberal policy contexts, supporting the neo-materialist perspective. This finding illustrates how states like New York and California (with liberal policy contexts) can exhibit high income inequality and high life expectancy.
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6
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Ahmad NA, Ismail NW, Sidique SFA, Mazlan NS. Air pollution, governance quality, and health outcomes: evidence from developing countries. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:41060-41072. [PMID: 36630041 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25183-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While studies have demonstrated that air pollution can be catastrophic to the population's health, few empirical studies are found in the economic literature because a considerable proportion of the evidence comes from epidemiological studies. Because of the crucial role of governance in the health community, good governance has been a contentious issue in public sector management in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effects of air pollution and the role of governance on health outcomes. This study employed the generalized method of moment (GMM) estimation techniques to analyse panel data for 72 developing countries from 2010 to 2017. The empirical results confirm that higher PM2.5 and CO2 levels have a detrimental influence on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, whereas the role of governance has a positive impact on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Furthermore, the findings show governance quality plays a role in moderating the negative effect of PM2.5 on health outcomes. The ongoing rise in air pollution has had a significant impact on the health of developing countries. It appears that governance quality has improved health outcomes. The findings have important policy implications, such that strengthening governance can reduce air pollution emissions in developing countries. However, to reduce the health effects of air pollution, developing countries must implement effective environmental development policies and track the implementation and enforcement of such policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Asma Ahmad
- Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kampus Kota, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Normaz Wana Ismail
- School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shaufique Fahmi Ahmad Sidique
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Syazwani Mazlan
- School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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7
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Wang W, Hafeez M, Jiang H, Ahmad W, Badar H, Salahodjaev R. Environmental factors and its influence on human health in BRICS: implications for human development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:22509-22519. [PMID: 36301398 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23678-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BRICS economies are facing severe environmental issues that exert a detrimental impact on human health. The analysis intends to examine the impact of CO2 emissions, environmental policy stringency, and environmental innovations on health outcomes for the BRICS economies. The long-run results of the ARDL-PMG infer that CO2 has a significant negative in the life expectancy model while it has a significant positive in the death rate model. These findings imply that the rise in CO2 emissions reduces life expectancy and increases the death rate in BRICS economies. On the other side, the estimates of environmental innovation and environmental policy stringency are positively significant in the life expectancy model; however, in the death rate model, the estimate of environmental innovation is insignificant, and environmental policy stringency is negatively significant in the death rate model. In a nutshell, the findings imply that CO2 emissions exacerbate health problems, environmental innovations, and environmental policy stringency, improving the health status of the people. Our findings suggest that the BRICS economies should revisit their environmental policies for the betterment of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Wang
- Department of Public Administration, Law School, Shantou University, 243 Daxue Road, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Local Government Development, Shantou, 515063, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Hafeez
- Institute of Business Management Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Public Administration, Law School, Shantou University, 243 Daxue Road, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Local Government Development, Shantou, 515063, People's Republic of China.
| | - Waseem Ahmad
- Institute of Business Management Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Hammad Badar
- Institute of Business Management Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Raufhon Salahodjaev
- Department of Mathematical Methods in Economics, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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8
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Shen F, Wang Q, Zou J, Yan H, Wang B. Air Pollution and Migration Decision of Migrants in Low-Carbon Society. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:870. [PMID: 36613190 PMCID: PMC9819621 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The influence of environmental quality on the quality of urban life and on migration decisions is an important research issue in urban economics and environmental economics. Using the 2012-2014 China Labor Dynamics Survey data (CLDS), this paper uses a conditional logit model (CLM) and Instrumental Variable (IV) estimation to examine the impact of air pollution on the migrant migration decision. We find that air pollution significantly negatively impacts the migration decisions of migrants. Specifically, if the PM2.5 level of a city increases by 10 μg/m3, the probability of migrants flowing into the city will be significantly reduced by 21.2%. It shows that migrants choose to flow into cities with better spatial quality to reduce the risk of exposure to air pollution. After controlling for the characteristics of the outflow and the reasons for the flow, the impact of air pollution on migrants' migration decisions remains robust. Heterogeneity analysis shows that middle-aged, male, married, and highly educated migrants are more sensitive to air pollution. This paper enriches the research on air pollution and labor mobility at the micro level and provides empirical evidence for policymaking related to environmental governance and labor mobility in a low-carbon society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiwei Shen
- College of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Hangzhou International Urbanology Research Center and Zhejiang Urban Governance Studies Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
- The Centre for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, North Zhongshan Road 3663, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jing Zou
- School of Finance, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Huili Yan
- School of Tourism, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Baitao Wang
- School of Finance, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
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9
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Ibrahim RL. Beyond COP26: can income level moderate fossil fuels, carbon emissions, and human capital for healthy life expectancy in Africa? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:87568-87582. [PMID: 35819679 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21872-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The growing concerns on the need to moderate the unceasing surge in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions believed to be detrimental to the environment and wellbeing of the human race have generated concerted efforts from governments and policymakers worldwide. Among many other factors, fossil fuels which remain the most consumed energy resource have been identified as the primary culprit to demeaning life expectancy. To this end, this study probes how income mediates between fossil fuels and carbon emissions to promote life expectancy in selected oil-abundant African economies from 1980 to 2019. The roles of human capital through investment in education are considered in the current inquiry. The empirical evidence is anchored on second-generation tests comprising cross-sectional dependence, slope homogeneity, and Westerlund cointegration tests. The empirical model is estimated based on advanced panel techniques comprising cross-sectional dependence autoregressive distributed lag model, common correlated effects mean group, augmented mean group, and quantile regression. Findings from the study reveal that fossil fuels and carbon emissions reduce life expectancy. Besides, income level promotes healthy life expectancy while equally subduing the negative impacts of fossil fuels on it. Additionally, the life-improving roles of human capital are empirically confirmed. Based on the findings, withdrawing the subsidies on fossil fuels and making aggregate income inclusive are among the key policies formulated.
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10
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Zhang Y, Shi T, Wang AJ, Huang Q. Air Pollution, Health Shocks and Labor Mobility. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031382. [PMID: 35162398 PMCID: PMC8835503 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The health shocks caused by air pollution seriously interfere with people’s economic life. Based on the air pollution index and health shock index calculated by the principal component entropy weight method, this article analyzes the impact of air pollution on labor mobility, and adopts the mediation effect model to test the mediation effect of health shocks, using the threshold model to analyze the time and the health shocks threshold effect of air pollution on labor mobility. Its conclusions are as follows: (1) Air pollution has a negative impact on the net inflow of labor mobility, and the net inflow of labor mobility decreases between 24.9% and 44.7% on average for each unit increase in the health shocks of air pollution. (2) The impact of air pollution on labor mobility is all caused by health shocks; the health shocks are also an important factor influencing the decrease in the labor mobility supply across provinces, and the different health levels of the migrating individuals due to air pollution. (3) The health shocks of air pollution have a single-time threshold effect on labor mobility, and the health shocks of air pollution in China have intensified after 2010, confirming that China’s Lewis turning point was 2010. (4) The attraction effect of stable and higher regional real income will partially offset the repulsion effect of health shocks of air pollution on labor mobility, when the health-shocks index of air pollution exceeds the threshold value of 1.9873. Finally, the policy implications of the health shocks of air pollution on labor mobility are also formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- School of Business, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China;
| | - Tao Shi
- Economics Institute, Henan Academy of Social Science, Fengchan Road 21, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (A.-J.W.)
| | - Ai-Jun Wang
- Economics School, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Nanhu Avenue 182, Wuhan 430073, China
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (A.-J.W.)
| | - Qi Huang
- Zhengzhou Central Sub-Branch of People’s Bank of China, Shangwu Road 21, Zhengzhou 450000, China;
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11
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Rodriguez-Alvarez A. Air pollution and life expectancy in Europe: Does investment in renewable energy matter? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 792:148480. [PMID: 34153769 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between health and air pollution using a novel approach that allows differentiation between potential and observed health. It also permits an analysis of those factors that may contribute towards reducing any differences between the latter concepts. To this end, a panel data from 29 European countries for the periods 2005 and 2018 is used. Results indicate that the main pollutants affecting European countries, namely NOx, PM10 and PM2.5 have a negative impact on life expectancy at birth, while investment in renewable energies has a positive effect. Several conclusions can be drawn from these results. Firstly, if the aim is to minimize the detrimental effects of the global production of goods and services on air quality, a greater investment in renewable energies as compared to other more polluting ones, is called for. In turn, this would contribute to an improvement in the general health of citizens and the planet thereby increasing overall potential life expectancy. Secondly, NOx gases seem to be the ones that most affect the population's mean potential life expectancy. Results indicate that with regard to particulate matters, those with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm, are the ones that have the greatest impact on the health of European citizens, more so than larger particles (with a diameter between 10 and 2.5 μm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rodriguez-Alvarez
- University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Campus del Cristo s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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12
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Wang F, Yang J, Shackman J, Liu X. Impact of Income Inequality on Urban Air Quality: A Game Theoretical and Empirical Study in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168546. [PMID: 34444295 PMCID: PMC8394994 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Income inequality and environmental pollution are of great concern in China. It is important to better understand whether the narrowing of income inequality and environmental improvement contradict each other. The study aims to investigate the linkage between income inequality and environmental pollution. To illustrate the interplay between different income groups on environmental issues, we apply a mixed-strategy game. Based on the game-theoretic analytical result, the probability of residents supporting clean energy and environmental protection decreases as income inequality widens and increases as inequality narrows. This empirical study is based on the proportion of coal consumption and urban air pollution data from 113 key environmental protection cities and regions in China. The air quality data are from the National Environmental Air Quality Monitoring Network published in the China Statistical Yearbook from 2014–2018. Convincing results show that regions with higher income inequality suffer severe smog and related pollution and that economies with narrow income disparity experience significant improvements in smog and pollution control, with the expansion of the proportion of clean energy use. The results also provide no evidence of the impact of per capita income on pollution. We studied the relationship between individuals of different wealth levels within an economy, within a repeated-game setting. The finding suggests that the distribution of growth impacts pollution. Imposing higher taxes on air polluters while transferring the revenue to the lower-income group is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Applied Economics, School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (F.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Applied Economics, School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (F.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Joshua Shackman
- International Business and Logistics Faculty, California State University Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA 945900, USA;
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Applied Economics, School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (F.W.); (J.Y.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Zhang F, Zhang H, Wu C, Zhang M, Feng H, Li D, Zhu W. Acute effects of ambient air pollution on clinic visits of college students for upper respiratory tract infection in Wuhan, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:29820-29830. [PMID: 33566291 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12828-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollutants have been linked to adverse health outcomes, but evidence is still relatively rare in college students. Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common disease of respiratory system among college students. In this study, we assess the acute effect of air pollution on clinic visits of college students for URTI in Wuhan, China. Data on clinic visits due to URTI were collected from Wuhan University Hospital, meteorological factors (including daily temperature and relative humidity) provided by Wuhan Meteorological Bureau, and air pollutants by Wuhan Environmental Protection Bureau. In the present study, generalized additive model with a quasi-Poisson distribution link function was used to examine the association between ambient air pollutants (fine particulate matter (PM2.5), particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3)) and the daily number of clinic visits of college students for URTI at Wuhan University Hospital in Wuhan, China. In the meantime, the model was adjusted for the confounding effects of long-term trends, seasonality, day of the week, public holidays, vacation, and meteorological factors. The best degrees of free in model were selected based on AIC (Akaike Information Criteria). The effect modification by gender was also examined. A total of 44,499 cases with principal diagnosis of URTI were included from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018. In single-pollutant models, the largest increment of URTI visits were found at lag 0 day in single-day lags, and the effect values in cumulative lags were greater than those in single-day lags. PM2.5 (0.74% (95%CI: 0.05, 1.44)) at lag 0 day, PM10 (0.61% (95%CI: 0.12, 1.11)) and O3 (1.01% (95%CI: 0.24, 1.79)) at lag 0-1 days, and SO2 (9.18% (95%CI: 3.27, 15.42)) and NO2 (3.40% (95% CI:1.64, 5.19)) at lag 0-3 days were observed to be strongly and significantly associated with clinic visits for URTI. PM10 and NO2 were almost still significantly associated with URTI after controlling for the other pollutants in our two-pollutant models, where the effect value of SO2 after inclusion of O3 appeared to be the largest and the effects of NO2 were also obvious compared with the other pollutants. Subgroups analysis demonstrated that males were more vulnerable to PM10 and O3, while females seemed more vulnerable to exposure to SO2 and NO2. This study implied that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of URTI among college students at Wuhan University Hospital in Wuhan, China. And gaseous pollutants had more negative health impact than solid pollutants. SO2 and NO2 were the major air pollutants affecting the daily number of clinic visits on URTI, to which females seemed more vulnerable than males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faxue Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chuangxin Wu
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Miaoxuan Zhang
- Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Huan Feng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dejia Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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14
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Hajat A, MacLehose RF, Rosofsky A, Walker KD, Clougherty JE. Confounding by Socioeconomic Status in Epidemiological Studies of Air Pollution and Health: Challenges and Opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:65001. [PMID: 34124937 PMCID: PMC8202292 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite a vast air pollution epidemiology literature to date and the recognition that lower-socioeconomic status (SES) populations are often disproportionately exposed to pollution, there is little research identifying optimal means of adjusting for confounding by SES in air pollution epidemiology, nor is there a strong understanding of biases that may result from improper adjustment. OBJECTIVE We aim to provide a conceptualization of SES and a review of approaches to its measurement in the U.S. context and discuss pathways by which SES may influence health and confound effects of air pollution. We explore bias related to measurement and operationalization and identify statistical approaches to reduce bias and confounding. DISCUSSION Drawing on the social epidemiology, health geography, and economic literatures, we describe how SES, a multifaceted construct operating through myriad pathways, may be conceptualized and operationalized in air pollution epidemiology studies. SES varies across individuals within the contexts of place, time, and culture. Although no single variable or index can fully capture SES, many studies rely on only a single measure. We recommend examining multiple facets of SES appropriate to the study design. Furthermore, investigators should carefully consider the multiple mechanisms by which SES might be operating to identify those SES indicators that may be most appropriate for a given context or study design and assess the impact of improper adjustment on air pollution effect estimates. Last, exploring model contraction and expansion methods may enrich adjustment, whereas statistical approaches, such as quantitative bias analysis, may be used to evaluate residual confounding. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7980.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjum Hajat
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Richard F. MacLehose
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anna Rosofsky
- Health Effects Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jane E. Clougherty
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Jackson CL, Ottinger MA, Cardenas A, James KA, Malecki KM, Chen JC, Geller AM, Mitchell UA. Adopting a "Compound" Exposome Approach in Environmental Aging Biomarker Research: A Call to Action for Advancing Racial Health Equity. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:45001. [PMID: 33822649 PMCID: PMC8043128 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In June 2020, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a virtual workshop focused on integrating the science of aging and environmental health research. The concurrent COVID-19 pandemic and national attention on racism exposed shortcomings in the environmental research field's conceptualization and methodological use of race, which have subsequently hindered the ability of research to address racial health disparities. By the workshop's conclusion, the authors deduced that the utility of environmental aging biomarkers-aging biomarkers shown to be specifically influenced by environmental exposures-would be greatly diminished if these biomarkers are developed absent of considerations of broader societal factors-like structural racism-that impinge on racial health equity. OBJECTIVES The authors reached a post-workshop consensus recommendation: To advance racial health equity, a "compound" exposome approach should be widely adopted in environmental aging biomarker research. We present this recommendation here. DISCUSSION The authors believe that without explicit considerations of racial health equity, people in most need of the benefits afforded by a better understanding of the relationships between exposures and aging will be the least likely to receive them because biomarkers may not encompass cumulative impacts from their unique social and environmental stressors. Employing an exposome approach that allows for more comprehensive exposure-disease pathway characterization across broad domains, including the social exposome and neighborhood factors, is the first step. Exposome-centered study designs must then be supported with efforts aimed at increasing the recruitment and retention of racially diverse study populations and researchers and further "compounded" with strategies directed at improving the use and interpretation of race throughout the publication and dissemination process. This compound exposome approach maximizes the ability of our science to identify environmental aging biomarkers that explicate racial disparities in health and best positions the environmental research community to contribute to the elimination of racial health disparities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8392.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamaji C. Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Chandra L. Jackson
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Intramural Program, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH, U.S. HHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Katherine A. James
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristen M.C. Malecki
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jiu-Chiuan Chen
- Departments of Preventive Medicine and Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew M. Geller
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Uchechi A. Mitchell
- Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Yariwake VY, Torres JI, Dos Santos ARP, Freitas SCF, De Angelis K, Farhat SCL, Câmara NOS, Veras MM. Chronic exposure to PM2.5 aggravates SLE manifestations in lupus-prone mice. Part Fibre Toxicol 2021; 18:15. [PMID: 33766080 PMCID: PMC7992962 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-021-00407-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution causes negative impacts on health. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations and multifactorial etiology. Recent studies suggest that air pollution can trigger SLE and induce disease activity. However, this association has not been deeply investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exacerbates SLE manifestations, focusing on renal complications, in a lupus-prone animal model. Female NZBWF1 mice were exposed daily to 600 μg/m3 of inhaled concentrated ambient particles (CAP) or filtered air (FA). Survival rate, body weight, weight of organs (kidney, spleen, thymus, liver and heart), blood cell count, proteinuria, kidney stereology, renal histopathology, gene expression and oxidative stress were analyzed. Results Female NZBW mice exposed to CAP showed decreased survival, increased circulating neutrophils, early onset of proteinuria and increased kidney weight with renal cortex enlargement when compared to NZBW mice exposed to FA. Conclusions This work shows that air pollution aggravates some SLE manifestations in lupus-prone mice. These results reinforce the need of reducing air pollutant levels in order to promote a better quality of life for individuals diagnosed with SLE. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12989-021-00407-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Yuji Yariwake
- Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - 1st floor (room 1220), São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil.
| | - Janaína Iannicelli Torres
- Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - 1st floor (room 1220), São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Amandda Rakell Peixoto Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Experimental Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kátia De Angelis
- Laboratory of Translational Physiology, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sylvia Costa Lima Farhat
- Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - 1st floor (room 1220), São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil.,Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Children's Institute of Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Laboratory of Experimental Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Matera Veras
- Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - 1st floor (room 1220), São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil
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Abdalla SM, Yu S, Galea S. Trends of biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in the United States by income: Disparities between the richest 20% and the poorest 80%,1999-2018. SSM Popul Health 2021; 13:100745. [PMID: 33604447 PMCID: PMC7872963 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Income inequality between the richest 20% and the poorest 80% in the United States has been increasing over the past two decades. Emerging evidence indicates widening disparities between the two groups in cardiovascular disease prevalence as well. However, the mechanisms behind this trend remains unclear. This analysis examines whether a similar trend exists in the levels of biomarkers and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the United States. METHODS We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for participants age 20 or older between 1999 and 2018. We calculated trends in age-standardized means of body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the trend in prevalence of obesity, high SBP, and low HDL by income group. RESULTS This analysis included 49,764 participants. Age-standardized mean BMI increased every two years by an average of 0.15 kg/m 2 among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.21 kg/m 2 among the poorest 80%. Age-standardized mean SBP decreased every two years by an average of 0.13 mm Hg among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.10 mm Hg among the poorest 80%. Age-standardized mean HDL increased every two years by an average of 0.39 mg/dL among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.19 mg/dL among the poorest 80%. When adjusted for demographic factors and time, the richest 20% had lower mean BMI (OR = -0.67, 95% CI: -0.89, - 0.44), lower mean SBP (OR = -0.72, 95% CI: -1.24, -0.20), and higher mean HDL (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 2.46, 3.62) compared to the poorest 80. CONCLUSION There are increasing disparities in cardiovascular disease biomarkers by income in the US. Between 1999 and 2018, improvement in biomarkers overwhelmingly occurred among the richest 20.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shui Yu
- Boston University, School of Public Health, USA
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Wirayuda AAB, Chan MF. A Systematic Review of Sociodemographic, Macroeconomic, and Health Resources Factors on Life Expectancy. Asia Pac J Public Health 2021; 33:335-356. [PMID: 33412917 DOI: 10.1177/1010539520983671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This review was aimed at systematically synthesizing and appraising the existing literature of sociodemographic, macroeconomic, and health resources factors on life expectancy. A systematic literature search of English databases, that is, PubMed/MEDLINE were scrutinized for exploring sociodemographic, macroeconomic, and health resources factors on life expectancy. The literature search was conducted in January 2020, covering a total of 46 articles from 2004 to 2019 met the review criteria, which were fully discussed subsequently. Among sociodemographic factors, infant mortality rate, literacy rate, education level, socioeconomic status, population growth, and gender inequality have a significant impact on life expectancy. Gross domestic product, Gini, income level, unemployment rate, and inflation rate are the main macroeconomic factors that significantly correlated with life expectancy. Among various health care resources, health care facilities, the number of the health care profession, public health expenditure, death rates, smoking rate, pollution, and vaccinations had a significant correlation with life expectancy. The systematic review showed general conformity of different studies, with a significant association between life expectancy and factors comprising several sociodemographic, macroeconomic, and various health care variables. This review found that only one study examined factors affecting life expectancy in Arabic countries. More studies on this region to fill this research gap were highly recommended.
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Estimation of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) concentration and its variation over urban sites in Bangladesh. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-03829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Thombs RP, Thombs DL, Jorgenson AK, Harris Braswell T. What Is Driving the Drug Overdose Epidemic in the United States? JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 61:275-289. [PMID: 32674692 DOI: 10.1177/0022146520939514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The demand-side perspective argues that the drug overdose epidemic is a consequence of changes in the economy that leave behind working-class people who lack a college education. In contrast, the supply-side perspective maintains that the epidemic is primarily due to changes in the licit and illicit drug environment, whereas a third, distinct perspective argues that income inequality is likely a key driver of the epidemic. To evaluate these competing perspectives, we use a two-level random intercept model and U.S. state-level data from 2006 to 2017. Contrary to the demand-side approach, we find that educational attainment is not associated with drug-related mortality. In support of the supply-side approach, we provide evidence indicating that opioid prescription rates are positively associated with drug-related mortality. We also find that income inequality is a key driver of the epidemic, particularly the lack of resources going to the bottom 20% of earners. We conclude by arguing that considerations of income inequality are an important way to link the arguments made by the demand-side and the supply-side perspectives.
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21
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Inoue T, Nunokawa N, Kurisu D, Ogasawara K. Particulate air pollution, birth outcomes, and infant mortality: Evidence from Japan's automobile emission control law of 1992. SSM Popul Health 2020; 11:100590. [PMID: 32551355 PMCID: PMC7287145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impacts of the Automobile NOx Law of 1992 on ambient air pollutants and fetal and infant health outcomes in Japan. Using panel data taken from more than 1500 monitoring stations between 1987 and 1997, we find that NOx and SO2 levels reduced by 5% and 11%, respectively in regulated areas following the 1992 regulation. In addition, using a municipal-level panel data set from Japan's Vital Statistics Survey and a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the regulation explains most of the improvements in the fetal death rate after the regulation came into effect. This study provides evidence on the positive impacts of this large-scale automobile regulation policy on fetal health. We estimate the effects of Automobile NOx Law on fetal and infant health. Monitoring station-level and municipal-level panel datasets are used. Regression differences-in-differences models are adopted. NOx and SO2 levels were reduced by 5% and 11% by the regulation. The fetal death rate was substantially improved by the regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Inoue
- Department of Business Economics, School of Management, Tokyo University of Science, 1-11-2, Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0071, Japan
| | - Nana Nunokawa
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kurisu
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan
| | - Kota Ogasawara
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan
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Beach SR, Kinnee E, Schulz R. Caregiving and Place: Combining Geographic Information System (GIS) and Survey Methods to Examine Neighborhood Context and Caregiver Outcomes. Innov Aging 2019; 3:igz025. [PMID: 31528713 PMCID: PMC6735773 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about the impact of neighborhood context on family caregivers, or how environmental factors combine with individual-level caregiver risk factors to affect caregiver outcomes. Objectives To combine Geographic Information System (GIS) and survey methods to examine the effects of caregiver residence in disadvantaged/underserved neighborhoods on caregiver outcomes. Research Design and Methods Telephone surveys with 758 caregivers from the Pittsburgh Regional Caregiver Survey geocoded for classification into Environmental Justice Areas (EJAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). We examine the impact of EJA/MUA caregiver residence on care recipient unmet needs for care, caregiver depression and burden, and positive aspects of caregiving, adjusting for sociodemographics, caregiving context, care recipient disability level, caregiving intensity, and additional risk factors. Results There was spatial clustering of caregiver depression and burden outside of the disadvantaged/underserved areas, while positive aspects of caregiving were clustered within EJAs/MUAs. Approximately 36% of caregivers lived in EJAs/MUAs, and they differed, sociodemographically, on caregiver risk factors and caregiver outcomes. Multivariable models showed that caregivers residing in EJAs/MUAs were less likely to be depressed and reported more positive aspects of caregiving after adjusting for known individual-level risk factors. Residence in disadvantaged/underserved areas also modified the effects of several risk factors on caregiver outcomes. Discussion and Implications Caregiver outcomes show interesting spatial patterns. Unexpectedly, caregivers living in these potentially challenging environments were less depressed and reported more gains from caregiving after adjusting for known risk factors. Results suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage does not necessarily translate into poor caregiver outcomes. Understanding the mechanism for these effects is important to designing effective caregiver interventions. The paper also demonstrates the value of using GIS methods to study caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Beach
- University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ellen Kinnee
- University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard Schulz
- University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Saavedra-García M, Matabuena M, Montero-Seoane A, Fernández-Romero JJ. A new approach to study the relative age effect with the use of additive logistic regression models: A case of study of FIFA football tournaments (1908-2012). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219757. [PMID: 31310610 PMCID: PMC6634404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative age effect plays an important role in the pursuit of excellence, providing advantage to athletes born at the beginning of the year or near the cut-off date. This phenomenon has been observed in areas such as sports, education or business. Traditionally, the chi-square test has been used to analyze whether there are statistically significant differences in the distribution of births in each of the four quarters of the year. However, this approach is limited, focusing only on the analysis of the response variable, without taking into account the effect of a set of predictive variables. In this paper a new approach is proposed to study the relative age effect with the use of a logistic regression additive model. The new method has been evaluated with a sample of 21,639 players involved in football tournaments organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) between 1908 and 2012. New conclusions have been established that the relative age effect exists regarding player age and the year of the competition in male FIFA competitions and its effect is dynamic and complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Saavedra-García
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte (INCIDE). Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Marcos Matabuena
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías da Información (CiTIUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antonio Montero-Seoane
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte (INCIDE). Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Juan J Fernández-Romero
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte (INCIDE). Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
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Frederick C, Hammersmith A, Gilderbloom JH. Putting 'place' in its place: Comparing place-based factors in interurban analyses of life expectancy in the United States. Soc Sci Med 2019; 232:148-155. [PMID: 31100695 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Extant interurban research in life expectancy greatly suffers from an underestimation of the role of place. Place is often conceptualized as a level of geography; this view ignores categorical differences between types of places. In addition, despite advances in theory and research that support their use, many important place-based factors remain under-utilized as control variables. We use multivariate analyses of life expectancy for the top and bottom quartiles of household income by sex in 148 US counties to compare the strengths of seventeen diverse variables. We find that cities' built, natural, and social environments play strong roles in life expectancy disparity among cities; many place-based variables consistently compare in strength to well-known control variables such as race, education, and behaviors. Furthermore, we find that place impacts men and women differently, even within the same income quartile. Indeed, some factors are associated with higher life expectancy in some demographic groups, and lower life expectancy in others. Researchers can protect against omitted variable bias when investigating public health outcomes by using a wider range of control variables. Researchers should also use better measures of place, and consider selecting specific cases to study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad Frederick
- Department of Geography and Sustainable Planning, Grand Valley State University, B-4-105 Mackinac Hall 1 Campus Drive Allendale, Michigan 49401, USA.
| | - Anna Hammersmith
- Department of Sociology, Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA
| | - John Hans Gilderbloom
- School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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