The impact of air pollution on health status in Sub-Saharan Africa: does health spending matter?

Purpose The paper empirically investigated the impact of air pollution on health status in 41 Sub-Saharan African countries with data spanning from the year 2000 to 2019. In addition, the intervening role of the quantum of health expenditure on the air pollution–health status nexus was examined. Design/methodology/approach The key models specified were estimated using the generalised method of moments (GMM) within a panel econometric framework. Complimentarily, two analytical techniques, namely, pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) and fixed effects (FE), were used for the regressions. Findings A number of results emanated from the analysis conducted. First, air pollution (proxied by CO2 emissions) had a negative and significant effect on health status (with life expectancy as the first of two designated indicators). Second, the pollution impact with respect to the other measure of health status (infant mortality) was found to be positive and significant. Put together, therefore, worsening air pollution both lowers life expectancy and heightens infant mortality in these SSA countries. Third, and finally, the extent of health expenditure plays no significant role. In other words, the air pollution–health expenditure relationship is inelastic to government spending. Research limitations/implications The empirical insights derived from this study notwithstanding, there are a few clear limitations. One, the panel analysis undertaken in this paper is likely to mask the specific nature of the air pollution–health status relationship in the individual countries that make up the panel. Two, the government expenditure variable used is aggregated and may not accurately reflect the portion of government spending that is directly targeted at interventions and outcomes in the health sector. Originality/value This paper offers fresh empirical evidence on the nexus between air pollution and health outcomes in a large number of SSA countries. Furthermore, it attempted to craft a moderating role for government expenditure in the primary relationship of interest. These two key gaps in the literature are the preoccupation of this work.