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Air pollution and noncognitive traits among Chinese adolescents

Author

Listed:
  • Mengyao Li
  • Susana Ferreira
  • Travis A. Smith
  • Xin Zhang

Abstract

Most residents in developing countries live under poor air quality. The adverse effects of air pollution on cardiovascular and respiratory health are well documented. More recently, it has been shown that air pollution adversely affects areas of the central nervous system regulating noncognitive traits. Because the developing brain is particularly vulnerable, this study focuses on adolescents. We match air pollution data from monitoring stations in China to repeated measures of noncognitive traits using panel data. In general, poorer contemporaneous air quality, rather than poorer past air quality, negatively affects adolescent noncognitive traits. Specifically, an increase in the Air Pollution Index by 15 points—the average daily fluctuation—leads to a 5.5% increase in psychological distress, 0.9% decrease in self‐esteem, 3.2% reduction in self‐satisfaction, and 0.9% decrease in confidence in the future. No such effects are found among adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengyao Li & Susana Ferreira & Travis A. Smith & Xin Zhang, 2021. "Air pollution and noncognitive traits among Chinese adolescents," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 478-488, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:30:y:2021:i:2:p:478-488
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4193
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Chris Sampson’s journal round-up for 8th March 2021
      by Chris Sampson in The Academic Health Economists' Blog on 2021-03-08 12:00:01

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    Cited by:

    1. Zining Liu & Cheng Wan, 2024. "Air pollution and the burden of long‐term care: Evidence from China," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 1241-1265, June.
    2. Mengna Luan & Zhigang Tao & Hongjie Yuan, 2023. "Alive but not well: The neglected cost of air pollution," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(11), pages 2535-2567, November.
    3. Beshir, H.A.; & Fichera, E.;, 2022. "“And Breathe Normally†: The Low Emission Zone impacts on health and well-being in England," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 22/09, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.

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