Economics Seminar Series: Matthew Neidell, Columbia University

Presenter: Matthew Neidell, Columbia University

Title: When Externalities Collide: Influenza and Pollution (joint with Joshua Graff Zivin, Nicholas J. Sanders and Gregor Singer)

Abstract:
Influenza and air pollution each pose significant public health risks with global economic consequences. The common pathways through which each harms health presents a case of compounding risk via interacting externalities. Using instrumental variables based on changing wind directions, we first show that increased levels of contemporaneous pollution increase influenza hospitalizations. We then exploit random variations in the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine as an additional instrument to show vaccine protection neutralizes this relationship. Our evidence suggests heterogeneity in pollution exposure can explain racial gaps in influenza incidence, and underscores returns to considering pollution control policies and vaccination campaigns jointly.

Organisers: Timo Hener and Michael Koch

The seminar is on-site and will not be streamed via Zoom