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Deforestation and Infant Health: Evidence from an Environmental Conservation Policy in Brazil

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  • Bermudez, Bladimir Carrillo
  • Santos Branco, Danyelle Karine
  • Trujillo, Juan Carlos
  • de Lima, Joao Eustaquio

Abstract

This study provides evidence of a negative externality of deforestation in infant health. As an identification strategy, we exploit the introduction of a change in the forest policy that caused a marked reduction in deforestation in the Amazon region of Brazil. We demonstrate that this forest policy reduced the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in those municipalities that were (potentially) exposed to the intervention. Importantly, our results are insensitive to a variety of robustness exercises.

Suggested Citation

  • Bermudez, Bladimir Carrillo & Santos Branco, Danyelle Karine & Trujillo, Juan Carlos & de Lima, Joao Eustaquio, 2015. "Deforestation and Infant Health: Evidence from an Environmental Conservation Policy in Brazil," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 229064, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae15:229064
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.229064
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental Economics and Policy;

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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