Dust and Death: Evidence from the West African Harmattan

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Adhvaryu, Achyuta; Bharadwaj, Prashant; Fenske, James; Nyshadham, Anant; Stanley, Richard
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California San Diego; University of California System; University of California San Diego; University of Warwick
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/uead088
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 885-912
• 关键词: infant-mortality; air-pollution; HEALTH; birth; meningitis; temperature; TECHNOLOGY; outcomes; weather; CONSEQUENCES

摘要

Using two decades of data from 12 low-income countries in West Africa, we show that dust carried by harmattan trade winds increases infant and child mortality. Health investments respond to dust exposure, consistent with compensating behaviours. Despite these efforts, surviving children still exhibit negative health impacts. Our data allow us to investigate differential impacts over time and across countries. We find declining impacts over time, suggesting adaptation. Using national-level measures of macroeconomic conditions and health resources, we find suggestive evidence that both economic development and public health improvements have contributed to this adaptation, with health improvements playing a larger role.