The Impact of Air Pollution Controls on Health and Health Inequity Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese: Evidence From Panel Data

Objectives: We evaluated the long-term effects of air pollution controls on health and health inequity among Chinese >45 years of age. Methods: Data were derived from the China Health Aging and Retirement Longitudinal Survey and the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. Decreases in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were scaled to measure air quality controls. We used a quasi-experimental design to estimate the impact of air quality controls on self-reported health and health inequity. Health disparities were estimated using the concentration index and the horizontal index. Results: Air pollution controls significantly improved self-reported health by 20% (OR 1.20, 95% CI, 1.02–1.42). The poorest group had a 40% (OR 1.41, 95% CI, 0.96–2.08) higher probability of having excellent self-reported health after air pollution controls. A pro-rich health inequity was observed, and the horizontal index decreased after air pollution controls. Conclusion: Air pollution controls have a long-term positive effect on health and health equity. The poorest population are the main beneficiaries of air pollution controls, which suggests policymakers should make efforts to reduce health inequity in air pollution controls.