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Verdant vitality: forests benefit child health in China

Author

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  • Xu, Shang
  • Wang, Yue
  • Zhang, Hongliang

Abstract

This study examines the impact of forests on child health in China, the world’s largest developing country with significant forest cover growth over the past two decades. The empirical strategy links individual health outcomes with county-level forest cover and employs an instrumental variable approach to address endogeneity concerns. Results show that forests positively affect child health in both the short and long terms. Short-term benefits are particularly prominent in regions without access to tap water, while long-term benefits are more pronounced in urban areas. This evidence supports the role of forests in improving water and air quality. Our calculation suggests that associated health benefits amount to approximately 99.12–140.84 billion RMB, offsetting 15–20% of the total costs incurred for forest conservation and afforestation in China between 1998 and 2016. This study highlights the potential of Nature-based Solutions for addressing societal challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Shang & Wang, Yue & Zhang, Hongliang, 2025. "Verdant vitality: forests benefit child health in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:194:y:2025:i:c:s0305750x25001573
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107072
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Forests; Child health; Ecosystem services; Nature-based solutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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