Air Quality and Residents’ Health in China: An Empirical Analysis Based on Spatial Simultaneous Equations

Abstract

Large-scale air pollution has an impact on the health and travel of residents in China. First, this article uses the gravity model and finds that China’s air quality presents a typical spatial correlation network. The network structure has changed from complex to simple, indicating that China’s air quality is gradually improving. Second, this paper uses spatial simultaneous equations to study the effect of air quality on residents’ health. The results show that an increase in the air quality index of local and surrounding provinces will have a significant impact on the health of residents. The absolute and relative air quality affects the lives of residents. The decline in the health of residents from the previous period will prompt the government to adopt various pollution reduction policies, which will improve air quality in the current period. Based on the empirical research conclusions, this article makes policy recommendations.