{"title":"Climate Disaster and Cognitive Ability: Evidence From Wildfire","authors":"Ran Du, Ke Liu, Dangru Zhao, Qiyun Fang","doi":"10.3389/ijph.2024.1607128","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"We investigate the impact of wildfire disasters on cognitive health (i.e., thinking and language skills) in individuals aged 10 years and older using 2014 and 2018 wildfire and cognitive ability survey data from China.We distinguished wildfires in each county at different wind directions each day by exogenous wind direction changes, and analyzed the effects of wildfires on cognitive abilities through upwind and non-upwind wildfires.Our analysis shows that for every 10-unit increase in upwind wildfires compared to non-upwind wildfires, respondents’ scores on word and math tests decrease by 0.235 and 0.236 standard deviations, respectively. Furthermore, we find that the impact of wildfire on cognitive ability is more pronounced in younger individuals, and those with lower defensive expenditures experience more severe impacts. Additionally, wildfires negatively affect individuals’ cognitive abilities by generating air pollution.Wildfires significantly reduce individuals’ cognitive abilities. Two recommendations are as follows: 1) governments should follow the principle of green development, introduce relevant regulations, and increase investment in adaptive technologies. 2) Individuals should raise awareness of climate hazards preparedness and strengthen defensive protection.","PeriodicalId":14322,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Public Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Public Health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607128","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
We investigate the impact of wildfire disasters on cognitive health (i.e., thinking and language skills) in individuals aged 10 years and older using 2014 and 2018 wildfire and cognitive ability survey data from China.We distinguished wildfires in each county at different wind directions each day by exogenous wind direction changes, and analyzed the effects of wildfires on cognitive abilities through upwind and non-upwind wildfires.Our analysis shows that for every 10-unit increase in upwind wildfires compared to non-upwind wildfires, respondents’ scores on word and math tests decrease by 0.235 and 0.236 standard deviations, respectively. Furthermore, we find that the impact of wildfire on cognitive ability is more pronounced in younger individuals, and those with lower defensive expenditures experience more severe impacts. Additionally, wildfires negatively affect individuals’ cognitive abilities by generating air pollution.Wildfires significantly reduce individuals’ cognitive abilities. Two recommendations are as follows: 1) governments should follow the principle of green development, introduce relevant regulations, and increase investment in adaptive technologies. 2) Individuals should raise awareness of climate hazards preparedness and strengthen defensive protection.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Public Health publishes scientific articles relevant to global public health, from different countries and cultures, and assembles them into issues that raise awareness and understanding of public health problems and solutions. The Journal welcomes submissions of original research, critical and relevant reviews, methodological papers and manuscripts that emphasize theoretical content. IJPH sometimes publishes commentaries and opinions. Special issues highlight key areas of current research. The Editorial Board''s mission is to provide a thoughtful forum for contemporary issues and challenges in global public health research and practice.