Health Benefits of Reducing Aircraft Pollution: Evidence from Changes in Flight Paths

Augustin De Coulon*, Mary O'Mahony, Silvia Beghelli

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper investigates externalities generated by air transportation pollution on health. As a source of exogenous variation, we use an unannounced five-month trial that reallocated early morning aircraft landings at London Heathrow airport. Our measure of health is prescribed medications spending on conditions known to be aggravated by pollution, especially sleep disturbances. We observe a significant and substantial decrease in prescribed drugs for respiratory and central nervous system disorders in the areas subjected to reduced air travel between 4:30am and 6.00am compared with the control regions. Our findings suggest a causal influence of aviation on health conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages31
JournalJOURNAL OF POPULATION ECONOMICS
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 5 Jun 2023

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