Job Market Paper
Abstract: Regulating toxic industrial pollutants can improve local access to pollution information, potentially leading to changes in health outcomes and behaviors. This paper examines the first statewide policy in New Hampshire to regulate Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water and assesses its impact on mortality and healthcare utilization among residents exposed to industrial pollution. Using a difference-in-differences framework based on proximity to polluting manufacturing facilities, I find that the PFAS regulation reduced mortality by 7% and increased healthcare utilization and investment in preventive care, extending beyond areas officially designated as contaminated. The findings highlight that both the costs of industrial pollution and the benefits of regulation can extend beyond the boundaries defined by observed pollution and water quality violations.
Working Paper
Abstract: Ensuring affordable, quality health care is a key objective for developing countries. In India, despite an extensive public health system, limited information on quality and financial constraints compel rural households to choose between lower-cost public facilities and more expensive private healthcare. This study examines how income fluctuations affect healthcare choices among rural Indian households. Using rainfall as an instrument for exogenous income shock, I find that households shift from public to private healthcare during positive shocks and revert to public facilities during negative shocks. However, for childbirth and maternal care, public facilities remain the preferred choice regardless of income changes. Health insurance increases the likelihood of households seeking formal health care but has no significant impact on the choice of healthcare facility. These findings highlight the role of income dynamics in healthcare decisions and the enduring role of public health services in maternal care.
Work in Progress
Mining, Deforestation, and Infant Health
Abstract: Weak institutions and regulatory failures in developing countries, particularly concerning industrial activities, can lead to substantial negative health externalities. Additionally, it is well-documented that deforestation exacerbates soil erosion, increasing risk of water pollution downstream. Using global mineral price shocks, I assess the impact of mining activities on downstream water pollution in India, comparing minerals linked to deforestation with those that are not. I then investigate how this mining-induced deforestation affects infant mortality in the downstream regions.