Air pollution, urbanization, and health in emerging countries: A Kuznets curve analysis of noncommunicable diseases and infant mortality
The harmful health effects of environmental pollution on the general public have been a subject of urgent concern for scholars and health experts. The study investigated the effects of pollution on health outcomes in seven selected emerging nations. The countries include Mexico, Indonesia, India, Turkey, China, South Africa, and Brazil. The study drew data from the World Bank Indicators and World Health Organization databases covering 2000–2018. After testing heterogeneity among variables, the study used two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression and ordinary least squares as a robustness check. Particulate matter 2.5 and carbon dioxide emissions increased the incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the infant mortality rate within the emerging countries. Using the Kuznets curve theory, the study found an inverted U-shaped relationship between urbanization and noncommunicable diseases, whereas urbanization’s effect on infant mortality was linear, with no statistically valid non-linear (Kuznets-type) turning point. While economic growth intensifies the risks of noncommunicable diseases, it decreased the infant mortality rate in the study countries. Health expenses also showed a negative association with poor health outcomes. Moreover, technological advancement (patent applications) showed a decreasing relationship with NCDs; its association with infant mortality was negative under 2SLS but positive under ordinary least squares, indicating sensitivity to the choice of estimator. The findings confirm how crucial it is for governments to implement immediate policies to curb the emissions threat and promote innovation in health and environmental quality. Based on the findings, several policies are proposed.
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