A panel data study on the role of clean energy in promoting life expectancy.

Abstract

Purpose: Energy is a health issue. Energy intersects with health outcomes, as evidenced by the relationship between access to clean fuels and technologies and population health measured by life expectancy at birth.

Methods: Utilizing a comprehensive dataset spanning 190 countries from 2000 to 2022, this paper employs a range of static and dynamic panel data models to analyze this empirical relationship, while effectively managing unobserved country-specific heterogeneity and endogeneity issues.

Results: The primary finding underscores that improved access to clean fuels and technologies positively correlates with increased life expectancy for both genders, males and females, on a global scale. Additionally, the study identifies a significant negative impact of food and nutritional deficiencies on human health, while highlighting positive associations between health outcomes and increased per capita health spending, immunization rates, education levels, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of policy interventions aimed at alleviating clean energy poverty and scaling up access to clean fuels and technologies to enhance both the duration and quality of life, thus fostering sustainable development efforts at both national and global levels.