Transport-related emissions and lifetime risk of maternal death in developing nations.

Abstract

In this study, the authors investigate whether transport-related emissions impact the lifetime risk of maternal death in developing nations. The authors estimate a health production model that incorporates annual data on carbon emissions from transportation on lifetime risks of maternal death and mortality rate for adult females from 2002 to 2016 for thirty-eight developing countries. Our analysis reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between transport-related carbon emissions and the lifetime risk of maternal death. A positive but statistically insignificant correlation between transportation-related carbon emissions and adult female mortality rates is also revealed. The success of Sustainable Development Goal 3, Target 3.1, will largely depend on the developing countries' solid commitments to adopt policies for clean energy in the transportation sector that can reduce women's exposure to pollutants and minimize the risk imposed on their health.