1 Department of Economics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel 91905 (e-mail: ) · 2 Department of Economics, Ball State University, 2000 W. University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306 (e-mail: ) · 3 Department of Economics, University of Chicago, 1126 E. 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637 (e-mail: ) · 4 Department of Economics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (e-mail: ) · 5 The National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanwei Road 27, Xicheng District, Beijing, China 100050 (e-mail: )
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between income, pollution, and mortality in China from 1991-2012. Using first-difference models, we document a robust positive association between city-level GDP and life expectancy. We also find a negative association between city-level particulate air pollution exposure and life expectancy that is driven by elevated cardiorespiratory mortality rates. The results suggest that while China's unprecedented economic growth over the last two decades is associated with health improvements, pollution has served as a countervailing force.