Air Quality and Cement Production: Examining the Implications of Point Source Pollution in Sri Lanka

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), dust, fumes and gases from cement production can result in a range of health effects to households living around factories. This study estimates the health costs associated with air pollution from a cement factory in the district of Puttalam in Sri Lanka. The study uses field data collected from 500 households living within a 3 km radius of the factory and measures seasonal air pollution to estimate dose-response functions and mitigation cost functions for different respiratory illnesses. The results indicate that the incidence of respiratory illness is about 14% amongst individuals who live in the vicinity of the cement factory. The study estimates that the expected annual welfare gain by reducing the SPM level by 50% is SLR 699 (US$7) per representative individual, while the annual welfare gain to all people living in the vicinity of the factory is SLR 2.96 million (US$ 29,600)

An empirical analysis of health implications and costs of obesity in Appalachia

Obesity is a major health problem in the United States (U.S.) and approximately 34 percent of the U.S. adult population is obese. Studies using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and many other research findings warn that if the current trend of obesity continues, 50 percent of the U.S. population will be obese in 2030. Unfortunately, several diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes (type II), hypertension, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and some psychological disorders are linked with obesity. Obesity increases the risk of premature mortality, and nearly 300,000 annual deaths are associated with obesity in the U.S. The economic burden associated with obesity is remarkably high. The magnitude of the health impacts of obesity depends on the levels of obesity-related diseases, socioeconomic factors, behavioral factors, environmental factors and geographical characteristics of a particular region. The main objective of this study is to examine health implications and costs of adult obesity in the Appalachian region. Appalachia is an economically less-developed region. It consists of 420 counties in 13 states and reports high rates of obesity compared to the rest of the U.S.;The theoretical models and arguments of the study are developed within the context of a consumer\u27s utility maximization model based on a household production function. The empirical models and analyses are conducted at the county level as well as at an individual level, using a system of simultaneous equations and logit analyses. Three-stage least squares (3SLS) estimations were used for the simultaneous equations. The main source of data is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention\u27s BRFSS. The statistical package of STATA is used to run the analyses.;The empirical results of the county level analyses reveal that obesity and obesity-related diseases are increasing in Appalachia, indicating that the healthcare sector has failed to control obesity even as incomes have been increasing. Importantly, results indicate potential reductions of obesity and obesity-related diseases with increasing employment opportunities. Individual level analyses using logit estimations show a potential high risk of asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension with the occurrence of obesity. Almost all logit estimations highlight the potential benefits of increasing income and employment opportunities along with higher education to reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases.;The cost estimations for all diseases show a {dollar}14.7 billion healthcare cost linked to adult obesity. This is nearly 1.4 percent of total GDP of the Appalachian region in 2009. Results further reveal the potential gains of reducing obesity compared to national and federal obesity rate targets.;An individual level analysis examining the potential use of reduced calorie intake and engaging in more physical activities indicates that these two behaviors could be used to significantly reduce obesity in Appalachia as long as there are adequate recreational facilities

A Dynamic Shift Share Analysis of Economic Growth in West Virginia

A regional economy consists of industries with a variety of economic potentials. A growth or decline in any of these sectors affects the overall growth of the economy. Analysis of economic growth by sector of a particular region helps policy makers, community leaders and researchers in better decision making and problem solving. This study attempts to analyze the employment growth pattern and policy implications in the economic development of West Virginia using a dynamic shift share analysis. The study uses employment data for 38 years from 1970 to 2007 for the empirical analysis. Results indicate that agriculture, mining and manufacturing are no longer the backbone of the economy of West Virginia. The three sectors showed employment declined within the 38-year period. Service and financial insurance and real estate are the most robust sectors contributing 91 percent of employment growth from 1970 to 2007. Apart from these two sectors, the wholesale and retail and construction sectors showed positive economic growth. Identification of investment priorities within these potential sectors and implementation of a comprehensive regional development policy plan would definitely accelerate the economic growth of West Virginia

A dynamic shift share analysis of economic growth

Abstract A regional economy consists of industries with a variety of economic potentials. A growth or decline in any of these sectors affects the overall growth of the economy

Harnessing Agricultural Potentials for Economic Growth in North Carolina

Agriculture in North Carolina contributes to 19 percent of the state’s income and employs over 20 percent of the work force. Agricultural activities are significant in rural counties and nearly 30 percent of the total population of North Carolina lives in 85 rural counties. Individuals in these rural counties have less income, education, and employment opportunities eventually in high poverty and unemployment rates. The objective of this study is to examine the potential use of agriculture in economic growth of North Carolina using county level data. Data were gathered from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Census Bureau for the period of 2000 to 2010. A system of simultaneous equations is used for the analysis. Results highlight that increasing income increases agricultural activities and vise versa. Thus, the counties with high household income levels are more capable of incorporating agriculture in economic growth while the counties with significant agricultural activities are more competent of improving income levels. Overall, results conclude the importance of secured satisfactory level of income through agriculture to enhance economic growth

Factors affecting Import Shares of Powdered Milk and other Milk Products and their Implications in Sri Lanka

Import shares of liquid milk, powdered milk, condensed milk and other milk products were estimated to determine their relative competitiveness. The change of import shares with changes of exchange rate and world price of milk. The analysis based on yearly data between 1975-2006 showed that relative CIF prices and incomes were important factors influencing the market shares of milk and milk products. The results also showed that imported milk powder is price inelastic and a weak substitute for other imported milk products. The milk powder import shares will decline marginally with depreciation of exchange rate by 5% and increase of world price of milk over a forecasted period of 5-7 years. However, these changes are not significant

Understanding the Economic Sustainability of Strawberry Farming in North Carolina

In the field of vegetable and fruit production, Strawberry is a high value product, that shows potential economic benefits for growers. In North Carolina, strawberry farming shows a strong growth potential, where most producers sell directly to consumers through pick-yourown, roadside stands, and some commercial and industrial levels. This study attempts to understand and evaluate the economic potentials of strawberry production in North Carolina, using data for the period of 1980 – 2018. Data was collected from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCDA&CS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Census & U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Ordinary least squares method was used to estimate the parameters of the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze data. The results indicate significant and positive relationships of strawberry farming with changes in labor and household income. Furthermore, the results indicate that production is decreasing as the number of strawberry farms decreases, while production per acre is increasing. The results imply that strawberry farming is supported by the increase in price per CWT (Price per 1000 pounds) of strawberries. Policies to enhance strawberry production with other supportive services can provide more economic benefits to North Carolina strawberry farmers

Health cost of cement production : a study for air pollution in Sri Lanka

This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 35-08, "Air quality and cement production : examining the implications of point source pollution in Sri Lanka"Air pollution from Sri Lanka’s largest cement production plant is having significant effects on respiratory health. The study finds that about 14% of the people who live in the vicinity of the Puttalam cement factory have respiratory illnesses linked to the pollution that it produces. By assessing the cost of these health problems, the study finds that if the air pollution produced by the plant was reduced by 50%, locals would benefit by SLR 3 million through improvements in health

An Empirical Analysis of Higher Education and Economic Growth in West Virginia

Investment in education to increase economic growth, as one form of human development, has gained economists‟ and policy makers‟ interest. It establishes human capital that makes a substantial contribution to economic and income growth and preserves returns in the form of skilled labor which leads to increased development and improved quality of life. Different theories and models have used to examine the relationship between education and economic growth. Most of them paid attention to human capital accumulation as source of acceleration in economic growth. Some of them used human capital as an engine of economic growth to technological change. But for human accumulation, a country should invest more on education. Thus, the main objective of the study is to analyze higher education growth and economic growth in West Virginia. A set of simultaneous equations with three endogenous variables of per capita income change, education change and population change was used for the analysis. Results indicate that income growth and education growth are positively related while education growth reduces population growth in West Virginia