"THE IMPACT OF PM2.5 POLLUTION ON LIFE EXPECTANCY IN CHINA: EXPLORING THE ROLES OF URBANIZATION AND HEALTHCARE SPENDING"

Аннотация

This study investigates the impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on life expectancy across 31 Chinese provinces from 2018 to 2022, using urbanization and healthcare expenditure as control variables. Employing panel data regression with ordinary least squares (OLS), the analysis reveals that higher PM2.5 levels are significantly associated with lower life expectancy. Specifically, a 1 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 concentration leads to a 0.0342-year decrease in life expectancy. Urbanization shows a positive and significant effect, with urban provinces experiencing an average of 3.52 additional years in life expectancy compared to rural areas. In contrast, healthcare expenditure has a statistically insignificant effect in the short run. The model explains 39.5% of the variation in life expectancy, underscoring the critical role of air quality and urban development in shaping public health outcomes. Literature Review Impact of PM2.5 Pollution on Life Expectancy in China https://scientific-jl.org/obr Выпуск журнала №-71 18 Часть–7_ июня–2025 ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ 2181- 3187 PM2.5 are tiny particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, allowing them to pass through the respiratory system, reach the lungs, and enter the bloodstream (WHO, 2024). According to Yang et al. (2020), PM2.5 has long been associated with negative health impacts, contributing considerably to lower life expectancy in many Chinese cities. Several studies have found that air pollution is linked to a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, as well as higher mortality (Hu et al., 2021). Air pollution can damage neurocognitive functions, causing people to suffer from depression more easily, and decreasing life satisfaction levels (Cao et al., 2017). Furthermore, Hu et al. (2021) state that a 10 mg/m3 increase in PM2.5 resulted in a 0.3-year drop in adult life expectancy in China, demonstrating that human life expectancy is strongly related to air pollution. Moreover, Cao et al. (2017) state that air pollution has become an essential factor limiting China's economic progress, resulting in a range of social issues. Urbanization and Healthcare Urbanization has a considerable impact on both PM2.5 levels and life expectancy. A huge quantity of carbon dioxide emissions increases the greenhouse effect, and air pollution such as PM2.5 grows more significant with the rise of urbanization, causing harm to human health. (Shao et al., 2022). According to Cao et al. (2017), the eastern part of China is the most developed and inhabited. It results in higher concentrations of PM2.5, which leads to higher mortality of respiratory disease, whereas the western part of China has lower concentrations of PM2.5 and lower mortality of respiratory disease. Urbanization causes increased levels of PM2.5 pollution, which leads to poorer health and shorter life expectancy (Diao et al., 2020). However, Miao and Wu (2016) explain that urban populations may benefit from greater living conditions and health services; thus, higher degrees of urbanization can minimize health risks. Shao et al. (2022) note that some research indicated that, while urbanization in China causes problems to residents' health, those who move to urban regions tend to have better health conditions than those who stay in rural areas due to the availability of health https://scientific-jl.org/obr Выпуск журнала №-71 19 Часть–7_ июня–2025 ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ 2181- 3187 services. Chen et al. (2019) discovered that, as compared to urban children, rural children reported more anxiety and depression symptoms and poorer self-reported mental health due to lower education levels and insufficient access to medical services in rural areas. Nevertheless, according to Shao et al. (2022), most research concluded that urbanization's negative consequences on people's health outweigh its positive effects, resulting in a rise in medical and healthcare costs. According to Liu and Zhong (2022), increased health investment in China might increase life expectancy in the long run. Furthermore, Liu and Zhong (2022) claim that throughout the last ten years, government investment in health per capita rose quickly, with an average yearly growth of 22.9 percent, resulting in improved life expectancy during the same period. However, Li and Zhang (2024) observe that, despite the importance of healthcare expenditure, the quality and availability of medical treatments have an essential role in increasing life expectancy. Methodology and Data This study investigates the relationship between PM2.5 levels and life expectancy in China, using urbanization and healthcare spending as control variables. The research is based on panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from 2018 to 2022. The data was acquired from the National Bureau of Statistics of China to ensure accuracy and reliability. The data is formatted as panel data, with observations made for