@article {35920,
	title = {Health benefits from improved air quality: Evidence from the pollution regulations in China{\textquoteright}s {\textquotedblleft}2+26{\textquotedblright} cities},
	journal = {Environmental and Resource Economics},
	volume = {87},
	year = {2024},
	pages = {1175-1221},
	abstract = {This study assesses the health benefits of better air quality by examining the causal impact\&nbsp;of China{\textquoteright}s stringent {\textquotedblleft}2+26{\textquotedblright} regional air pollution control policy on local air quality and\&nbsp;population health. Employing a spatial regression discontinuity design that capitalizes\&nbsp;on the policy{\textquoteright}s location-specific features, we present compelling evidence that the\&nbsp;2+26\&nbsp;policy results in an average reduction of 12.2 units in the local Air Quality Index (AQI)\&nbsp;and a 47.0\% decrease in per capita medical expenditure from 2014 to 2018. A one-unit\&nbsp;reduction in AQI corresponds to a 0.88\% reduction in per capita annual medical spending,\&nbsp;equivalent to RMB 30.2 (US$4.6). These health gains stem from reduced chronic disease\&nbsp;prevalence and improved subjective well-being. Nationally, air quality improvement during 2014{\textendash}2018 could save RMB 674billion (US$104billion) annually in national direct\&nbsp;medical costs, constituting 11.6\% of national medical expenditure in 2018. Our findings\&nbsp;underscore the substantial health and welfare gains achievable through pollution controls in\&nbsp;developing countries.},
	url = {https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s10640-024-00860-3?sharing_token=X2845KvHIcJ-u6CAg0kRWfe4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY5Hsofl1ectiTQNuCJAiw31EVR99IXKuaXhS3knEJ6Qvi-f2twGk5IM1mxssbvTo41iy265QxIViprY1UVCtI5UaFvYRFBTo4Kre54g6BFEBd8RSWiYSLmTZOqQNr7WRjk\%3D},
	author = {Tingting Xie; Yong Wang; Ye Yuan}
}
