New-type urbanization and regional public health: mechanisms and effects

Abstract

New-type urbanization (NTU) in China not only effectively promotes socio-economic transformation but also serves as a significant driving force for the coordinated development of regional social and environmental demands. Using data from China spanning 2007–2018, this study examines the effects and mechanisms of NTU on regional public health (RPH) by constructing panel fixed-effects, threshold-effects, moderated-effects, and spatial spillover models. The findings are as follows: ① NTU plays a significant role in promoting RPH. Threshold analysis reveals distinct threshold effects for employment density and industrial structure sophistication. ② Socio-economic agglomeration plays an important moderating role in the relationship between NTU and RPH. Specifically, there is a significant substitution effect between economic agglomeration and NTU in affecting RPH, while population agglomeration improves NTU’s positive effect. ③ Across the eastern, central, and western regions, NTU has a positive impact on RPH, with the strength of influence increasing progressively. However, in economically developed regions, the effect is non-significant. ④ NTU shows significant spatial spillover effects on RPH, with indirect effects exceeding direct effects. The main factor influencing NTU’s inhibitory effect on RPH is whether regions are adjacent.