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Sejong's Effects on People's Health: Consequences of a Long Commute

Author

Listed:
  • Lim, Seulgi

    (National Assembly Budget Office)

  • Lee, Soohyung

    (Seoul National University)

Abstract

We examine the health impacts of long commute time by exploiting a large-scale placed-based policy in South Korea. The policy relocated public employers in the capital area to disadvantaged cities. However, some public employees kept their residences in the capital area and spend long hours commuting. Using this change, we estimate 2SLS models whose results suggest that having a long commute substantially increases usage of medical services, particularly to treat respiratory, circulatory, and endocrine & metabolic diseases. However, we find mixed effects of long commute time on medical checkup outcomes and health-related activities such as exercise.

Suggested Citation

  • Lim, Seulgi & Lee, Soohyung, 2023. "Sejong's Effects on People's Health: Consequences of a Long Commute," IZA Discussion Papers 16003, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Novaco, Raymond W. & Stokols, Daniel & Milanesi, Louis, 1990. "Objective and Subjective Dimensions Of Travel Impedance as Determinants Of Commuting Stress," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt5jq8164z, University of California Transportation Center.
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    4. Novaco, Raymond W. & Stokols, Daniel & Milanesi, Louis, 1990. "Objective and Subjective Dimensions Of Travel Impedance as Determinants Of Commuting and Stress," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt10m3x16k, University of California Transportation Center.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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