Higher Household Income Research Articles

Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Adults: Observational Study Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) reflects an individual's perception of their physical and mental health over time. Despite numerous studies linking physical activity to improved HRQoL, most rely on self-reported data, limiting the accuracy and generalizability of findings. This study leverages objective accelerometer data to explore the association between physical activity and HRQoL in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between objectively measured physical activity using accelerometers and HRQoL among Korean adults, aiming to inform targeted interventions for enhancing HRQoL through physical activity. This observational study included 1298 participants aged 19-64 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI, who wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and physical activity was quantified as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity accelerometer-total (MVPA-AT) and accelerometer-bout (MVPA-AB). Data were analyzed using logistic regression to determine the odds ratio (ORs) for low HRQoL, adjusting for socioeconomic variables and mental health factors. Participants with higher HRQoL were younger, more likely to be male, single, highly educated, employed in white-collar jobs, and had higher household incomes. They also reported less stress and better subjective health status. The high HRQoL group had significantly more participants meeting MVPA-AB ≥600 metabolic equivalents (P<.01). Logistic regression showed that participants meeting MVPA-AB ≥600 metabolic equivalents had higher odds of high HRQoL (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.17). Adjusted models showed consistent results, although the association weakened when adjusting for mental health factors (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-2.09). The study demonstrates a significant association between HRQoL and moderate to vigorous physical activity sustained for at least 10 minutes, as measured by accelerometer. These findings support promoting physical activity, particularly sustained moderate to vigorous activity, to enhance HRQoL. Further interventional studies focusing on specific physical activity domains such as occupational, leisure-time, and commuting activities are warranted.

Household Debt and Housing: Source of Income Inequality in South Korea

ABSTRACT This study uncovers that the rising incidence of household debt, particularly being used for acquiring non-financial assets, correlates with a notable increase in income, predominantly benefitting high-income households. This trend is especially relevant in South Korea, where a significant portion of household debt is driven by the acquisition of non-financial assets such as houses. However, in the context of existing loan regulations, which prioritise macroprudential stability, the capacity to accrue substantial debt for non-financial assets is largely limited to high-income households. Consequently, this pattern aggravates income inequality as the analysis reveals that higher household debt balances are linked to positive income effects which are mostly available only to high-income households.

Factors Affecting the Perceived Social Support of Adolescent Girls and Women Aged 10-45 Years With Disabilities in Selected Sub-districts of Bangladesh.

Background Perceived social support is crucial for the well-being of women and adolescent girls with disabilities. In Bangladesh, social support can significantly influence their quality of life, yet it remains understudied. This study aims to identify the factors affecting perceived social support among women and adolescent girls with disabilities in selected sub-districts of Bangladesh. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, a total of 152 women and adolescent girls with disabilities participated. The study was conducted in Bogura Sadar and Chapainawabganj Sadar upazilas of Bangladesh. The implementation timeline of the study was from March to April 2023. The chi-square test and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the factors affecting perceived social support among the participants in the selected sub-districts of Bangladesh. Results In the chi-square test, associations were noted betweenmenarche age, male education, and household income categories with perceived social support categories.In Fisher's exact test, an association was observed between females with partial hearing disability and perceived social support categories. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that better levels of education in men, high household income, and a younger age of menarche and partial hearing disability were the predictors of higher perceived social support among women and adolescent girls with disabilities. Conclusions This study underscores the multifaceted nature of perceived social support among women and adolescent girls with disabilities in Bangladesh. Interventions aimed at enhancing social support should consider identified predictors to provide tailored support for women and adolescent girls with disabilities. Enhanced social support can lead to overall well-being for this vulnerable population.

Online positive parenting programme for promoting parenting competencies and skills: randomised controlled trial

Positive parenting programmes (PPP), albeit effective, are not readily accessible to the general public, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 103 healthy caregiver-child dyads, we investigated the effectiveness of online PPP on parenting sense of competencies (primary outcome), parenting styles and behavioural concerns of children aged 3–6 years (secondary outcomes) between 2 blinded, parallel groups. After block of 4 randomisations, intervention group (n = 52) attended live, group-based, internet delivered PPP while both intervention and active control group (n = 51) received weekly general education via communication application. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 8 and 14 weeks. Most parents from both groups had high education and household income. From the intervention group, 87.5% of the parents attended live sessions while 8.6% subsequently watched recorded sessions. At 14 weeks, the intervention group reported higher sense of competence (Wald 9.63, p = 0.008); both groups reported using more authoritative parenting style (Wald 15.52, p ≤ 0.001) from Generalised Estimating Equations model. Compared to baseline, both groups had significant reduction of children’s emotional problems at 14 weeks (mean change: Intervention = − 0.44, p = 0.033; Control = − 0.30, p = 0.046) and behavioural problems over time (Wald 7.07, p = 0.029). Online PPP offered an easily accessible, primary preventive measure to mitigate behavioural concerns and improve parental competency. Clinical Trial Registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/); TCTR20201030001 on 30/10/2020.

Financial Portfolio Analysis of Single Households: Monthly Saving and Financial Assets

The purpose of this study was to analyze the financial portfolios of single-person households. For the analysis, data from the Korean Labor Panel Survey (2021) was utilized, comprising 2,905 single-person households. The major findings are as follows: First, the proportion of households with monthly savings was 32.0%, while the proportion of households holding financial assets was 72.1%. Second, regarding the composition of monthly savings, single-person households predominantly held savings accounts (93.3%), followed by insurance (4.7%), with cumulative funds at a mere 0.8%. The composition of financial assets showed that the majority were in bank deposits (78.5%), followed by risk management assets (18.0%), and investment assets (2.4%). Third, multivariate analysis results revealed that younger age, higher education level, and better financial factors were associated with a higher probability of having monthly savings. The results for financial assets were largely similar, with females showing a higher likelihood of asset possession compared to males. Fourth, the proportions of both bank savings in total savings and insurance generally had opposing effects. Fifth, age group had the greatest influence on the proportions of safety and insurance assets, followed by income group. Middle-aged households had lower proportions of safety assets but higher proportions of insurance assets compared to young households, while the opposite trend was observed for elderly households. Middle-income households had higher proportions of insurance assets compared to low-income households, whereas high-income households had higher proportions of investment assets. Lastly, cluster analysis categorized single-person households' financial portfolios into five groups: Group 1 (32.2%): "Old-Sustain" characterized by insufficient current income but economically stable retirement. Group 2 (29.4%): "Financially Active" engaging in various financial activities due to relatively high education and employment rates. Group 3 (28.0%): "Financially Inactive" classified as elderly groups with minimal financial activities. Group 4 (9.1%): "Risk Financial Structure" consisting of relatively young individuals focused on risk management assets but facing issues in financial asset management due to high-risk assets and financial loans. Group 5 (1.3%): "Stable-Insurance Oriented" with high financial assets and income concentrated in insurance for both savings and financial assets.

The alleviating effect of household distributed photovoltaics on multidimensional relative poverty in rural areas

Relative poverty represents a major obstacle to China's rural revitalization efforts and necessitates enhanced policy support. This study aims to investigate the impact of household distributed photovoltaic (HDPV) on relative poverty conditions. Based on 337 questionnaire data from Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province in 2022, we construct a multidimensional relative poverty index using the Alkire-Foster method to assess the level of relative poverty. We employ fixed-effects models and mediation models to evaluate the effectiveness of HDPV in alleviating relative poverty. The results indicate that HDPV reduce the multidimensional relative poverty level of rural residents by approximately 0.058, demonstrating that installing HDPV can significantly alleviate multidimensional relative poverty. This effect is primarily achieved through increased investment in children's education. Additionally, we find that the alleviation effect varies by income level, with lower-income households experiencing greater improvements compared to higher-income households. Specifically, HDPV reduce the poverty level of the low-income group by approximately 0.0969, while the high-income group saw a reduction of about 0.0313. The findings of this study enrich the research on relative poverty in China by revealing the poverty-alleviating attributes of HDPV. It provides support for the development of renewable energy and regional development policies and has practical significance for advancing photovoltaic building integration.

Role of multiple energy sources under carbon neturality goals, income and energy consumption in transition economies: A joint case study between China and Uzbekistan

This study critically reviews policies addressing the role of multiple energy sources in achieving carbon neutrality goals, with a focus on income and energy consumption in transition economies, specifically China and Uzbekistan. As both nations undergo significant economic transitions, their energy consumption patterns are evolving in response to modernization and policy changes. Utilizing data from 2012 to 2022, this study examines the consumption of various energy sources, including coal, wood, electricity, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), within the context of these countries' carbon neutrality objectives. Our findings reveal that income levels significantly influence energy consumption behaviors, with low- and high-income households in both China and Uzbekistan exhibiting distinct preferences for energy sources. The study integrates social survey data, economic variables, and policy analysis to explore how energy consumption is shaped by income disparities, fluctuating prices, and environmental goals. By drawing on historical contexts and previous scholarly works, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between income, energy use, and policy in transition economies. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to develop sustainable energy strategies that align with carbon neutrality goals while addressing the unique challenges of income disparity and energy consumption in China and Uzbekistan.

Association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and dietary intake with overweight and obesity among U.S. children: findings from NHANES

Childhood overweight/obesity is a serious problem that has not been adequately addressed. As a key factor affecting weight gain, the association between dietary intake with childhood overweight and obesity is still unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic, lifestyle factors and dietary intake with overweight or obesity. We used data from a large cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The U.S. children aged 6–15 years with both weight data and dietary data were included. For univariate analysis of sociodemographic data, t tests was performed for continuous variables and chi-square tests was performed for discrete variables. Dietary intakes were described by median and quartile, and differences in dietary intake between children with normal weight and children with overweight or obesity were compared by rank sum tests. A modern statistical shrinkage technique, LASSO regression was used to examine the association between dietary intake and childhood obesity. Our study confirms that Hispanic ethnicity, increasing age, passive exposure to smoking, higher protein intake, and higher caffeine intake were positively associated with child overweight or obesity. Additionally, non-Hispanic White race, higher physical activity levels, higher household income, and higher vitamin A intake were negatively associated with child overweight or obesity.

Teletherapy to address language disparities in deaf and hard-of-hearing children: study protocol for an inclusive multicentre clinical trial

IntroductionChildren who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) are at risk for speech and language delay. Language outcomes are worse in DHH children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, due in part to...

Informality, affordability, and mortgage stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study of urban low-income households in Mumbai’s periphery

ABSTRACT The preexisting global urban housing affordability crisis worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within nations, households belonging to various socioeconomic strata differentially experienced housing affordability issues, with the low-income households disproportionately bearing the affordability stress compared to the higher-income households. We use a mixed-methods approach to investigate the consequences of COVID-19-induced mortgage stress in 154 low-income homebuyers living in the periphery of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in India. We draw upon the Conservation of Resources theory to study the stress outcomes due to affordability issues and understand its linkages with household financial wellbeing. A quantitative survey of 154 study participants revealed a significant relationship between mortgage stress and financial well-being mediated by financial stress. Further, qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews of 16 study participants using a comparative lens suggested that the pandemic-induced affordability issues disproportionately affected households with informal employment. Overall, the findings highlight a dynamic nature of affordability and its peculiar interplay with informality, emphasizing the urgency to reorient housing policies toward affordability and informality issues.

Assessing impacts of income diversification on Vietnamese household welfare using quantile regression and longitudinal data

ABSTRACT This study examines the heterogeneous and dynamic effects of income diversification on Vietnamese household welfare measured by total income and consumption expenditure. Based on a risk management perspective and prior studies, households with different income levels may have different income diversification strategies. In the analysis, we use quantile regression for both pooled and cross-sectional data across regions. The effects from Simpson’s diversity index, as the measure of income diversification, show mixed results. During the early period of study, income diversification raised the welfare of most households. However, the trend was reversed in the later period. This generates concern for low-income households and their income sources are less diversified. For higher-income households, the adverse effects are due to their focus on fewer economic activities, with wage earnings being their main source of income.

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on social and economic welfare in Uganda

BackgroundAs a measure to slow down the transmission of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), governments around the world placed their countries under various stringent lockdown measures. Uganda is one of the countries that had a strict lockdown in Africa. This qualitative study explored the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown in both an urban (Kampala) and rural (Wakiso) setting in Central Uganda.MethodsThe study used focus group discussions (FGDs), household interviews, and key informant interviews (KIIs). 14 FGDs were conducted among several stakeholders including community health workers, health professionals, and members of the community. 40 household interviews were conducted among low, middle, and high-income households, while 31 KIIs were held among policy makers, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. Data were analysed thematically in NVivo 2020 (QSR International).ResultsFindings from the study are presented under six themes: family disruption; abuse of children’s rights; disruption in education; food insecurity; impact on livelihoods; and violation of human rights. The study found that the COVID-19 lockdown led to family breakups, loss of family housing, as well as increased both caring responsibilities and gender-based violence especially towards females. Children’s welfare suffered through increased child labour, sexual exploitation, and early marriages. The extended closure of schools led to delayed educational milestones, poor adaptation to home-based learning, and increased school drop-out rates. Increased food insecurity led to changes in feeding patterns and reduced food varieties. Livelihoods were negatively affected hence people depleted their savings and capital. Unlawful detention and beating by law enforcement officers increased during the lockdown.ConclusionFuture pandemic planning needs to consider the consequences of lockdown on the social and economic wellbeing of communities hence put in place appropriate mitigation measures during and after the outbreak.

Toward sustainable environmental management: Insights from Chinese first-tier cities' consumers' response to green electricity payment policies

China's renewable energy industry is facing the challenge of overcapacity. The environmental management literature suggests that consumers' participation in the green electricity market holds immense potential in addressing renewable energy consumption concerns. However, the question of how payment policies influence China's consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity remains unresolved. Based on 2854 valid questionnaires from a survey conducted in China's four first-tier cities in 2023, our research findings reveal: (1) While 97.9% of consumers express a willingness to use green electricity, only 63.1% are willing to pay a higher cost, indicating the existence of a “value-action” gap between environmental awareness and actual willingness to pay. (2) China's consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity is approximately 38.4 RMB per month. This figure has decreased by 5.7 RMB compared to our survey in 2019. (3) Consumers' willingness to pay will be influenced by the attitudes of those around them. (4) The voluntary payment policy positively impacts consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity. (5) Male, younger, lower education level, higher income, and larger household size consumers exhibit a higher willingness to pay. (6) Electricity price sensitivity weakens the impact of payment policies on willingness to pay.

Factors related to complementary feeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Introduction: Complementary feeding practice is critical for adequate growth and development in children. Appropriate practices should be maintained, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse complementary feeding practices and their related factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household economic aspects. Data were collected via online questionnaires involving 574 mothers of children aged 6–23 months in Indonesia from April to May 2022. Results: In total, 63.6%, 64.6%, 86.6%, and 57.7% of children met the criteria for timely introduction of complementary feeding (INTRO), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD), respectively. Households that had no impact on their ability to provide food during the pandemic had higher odds of meeting MDD and MAD. Having a high household income level, high maternal education, and being a housewife increased the odds of INTRO. The odds of MDD increased in children who lived in Java, had older age, and whose mother had high education level. Older children had higher odds of having appropriate MMF. MAD was associated with mother’s high education level and being a housewife. Conclusion: Several factors during the pandemic, including economic aspects, influenced complementary feeding practices. To prevent child malnutrition, besides ensuring household food security, other strategies to increase complementary feeding quality are also needed.

Assessment of Behaviour among Households towards Solid Waste Management in GHMC

Background: Rapid urbanization has made domestic waste management a crucial environmental challenge in Hyderabad, which generates 5,500 to 6,000 metric tons of waste daily. Despite regulations, improper disposal practices persist, posing risks to public health and sustainability. Research Methodology: This mixed-methods study used surveys of 404 households and secondary data to assess household waste management behavior in GHMC. Statistical tools like Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to analyze the influence of demographic factors. Results: Significant variations in waste management practices were found across demographics. Improper disposal methods, such as roadside dumping (mean = 3.43, p-value = 0.13) and burning (mean = 3.17, p-value = 0.572), are prevalent among older adults and higher-income households (mean = 3.44, p-value = 0.002). Conversely, younger individuals (&lt;20 years, mean = 3.36, p-value = 0.084) and lower-income groups (&lt;₹10,000, mean = 3.13, p-value = 0.805) show better adherence to sustainable practices like the 3R's and composting (mean = 3.32, p-value = 0.013). Education level also influences waste management behavior, with primary education correlating with better practices (mean = 3.41, p-value = 0.315). Conclusion: Targeted interventions are needed to address improper disposal practices among older and higher- income groups. Positive trends in waste facility utilization and e-waste disposal are noted, but burning and burying waste remain common. Enhanced educational campaigns and infrastructure improvements are essential for sustainable waste management. Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Household Behavior, Urbanization, Environmental Sustainability, Waste Segregation, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Recycling, Waste Reduction, Education, Public Health.

Wasting and Its Associated Nutritional and Non-Nutritional Factors among Under-Five Children in Marrakesh Province, Morocco

Introduction: Malnutrition is the most common nutritional disorder in developing countries and it remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence of wasting and its associated factors among under-five children in Marrakesh province in Morocco. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence of wasting and its associated factors among under-5 years old children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 430 children paired with their mothers. Anthropometric measurements and determinant factors were collected. SPSS version 19.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated to the wasting of the children. Statistical association was declared significant if p value was less than0.05. Results: In this study, the prevalence of wasting was 9.3%. The proportions of severe and moderate wasting children were 6.5% and 2.8%, respectively. Higher odds of wasting children among illiterate mothers were 17 times more likely compared with mothers with high levels (ORa = 17.17; 95% CI: 1.01–13.70). In line with this, the odds of wasting children among lower household incomes were 13 times more likely when compared to those with higher household incomes (ORa = 13.114; 95% CI: 1.13–7.60). Similarly, the odds of wasting children among mothers primiparous were 12 times more likely compared with multiparous (ORa = 12.88; 95% CI: 1.04–4.08). The odds of wasting children were more observed among children who did not benefit from exclusive breastfeeding (ORa = 12.297; 95% CI: 2.47–13.03, 1.03–5.34). Conclusions: The current study showed that the prevalence of wasting among under-five children in Marrakesh province was relatively common. Mother’s education level, household income, parity, and exclusive breastfeeding were significantly associated with wasting. Therefore, nutritional educational intervention programs in Marrakesh province should focus on these factors.

Race/Ethnicity and Employment Insecurity: Impacts of COVID-19 on the US Labor Force and Beyond

Using the Household Pulse Survey and American Community Survey, this study examines employment insecurity experienced across different racial/ethnic groups of the U.S. labor force under the pandemic disruptions. It highlights significant employment security disparities based on race, ethnicity, and income during the pandemic. However, there are no significant gender and racial disparities within the lowest income group when controlling for other conditions. In contrast, gender and racial disparities in EI are much more pronounced among mid-to-high income groups. Non-White individuals were disproportionately affected by job loss due to health and COVID-related employment issues, unlike Whites who faced unemployment more due to other factors. This pattern was more evident among lower-income groups. The trends shifted in later stages, with high-income Black and Hispanic workers becoming more likely to be unemployed due to non-health and non-employment reasons. Middle-income workers across all races were least likely to stop working for reasons other than COVID-related health or employment issues. In addition, regardless race or ethnicity, women more likely to be unemployed due to health reasons and less so due to employment issues compared to men, and the gender disparities increased with higher household incomes. We propose that the apparent immediate effects of the pandemic are actually indicative of deeper, systemic issues within the U.S. labor market, specifically the occupational segregation tied to race/ethnicity, gender, and class. Recovery efforts must take a holistic approach and integrate economic development policies, workforce development strategies, and social policies targeting poverty alleviation, health disparities, and people of color.

Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Its Association With Condom Use Self-Efficacy (CUSES) Among People Living With HIV (PLHIV) in Public Health Clinics in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background Condom use self-efficacy is critical in preventing the spread of HIV among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a crucial factor in promoting safer sexual behaviors. However, there is scarce data on its association with condom use self-efficacy, particularly among PLHIV. Objectives This study aims to determine the association between knowledge of STIs and other demographic and behavioral factors with condom use self-efficacy among PLHIV in public health clinics at Hulu Langat, Selangor. Methods A cross-sectional study involved PLHIV attending public health clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included being 18 years or older, able to read and comprehend the Malay language, and having not been diagnosed with psychiatric illness or learning difficulties that may impede their ability to answer the questionnaire. Data were collected from December 2023 to March 2024 through self-administered questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, sexual practice, clinical factors, knowledge of STIs, and condom use self-efficacy. Multiple linear regressions were performed to identify factors associated with condom use self-efficacy. Results The mean score for condom use self-efficacywas 77.72 ± 12.88, and the mean score for knowledge of STIs was 30.87 ± 5.50. The higher STI knowledge score was associated with higher condom use self-efficacy (B = 0.73, p < 0.001). Other significant factors were higher household income (B = 9.27, p < 0.001), recent sexual activity within the last three months (B = -4.34, p < 0.001), engaging in receptive anal sex (B = 7.06, p < 0.001), and not using a condom during the last sexual intercourse (B = -4.43, p < 0.001) wereassociated with condom use self-efficacy. Conclusion The study confirms that good STI knowledge increases condom use self-efficacy among PLHIV, therefore highlighting the need to educate those at risk with better knowledge of STIs. It also highlights the importance of conducting interventions for those at higher risk due to lower condom use self-efficacy and exploring their barriers towards the use of condoms.

Electric vehicle (EV) type choice model: Latent class modelling (LCM) approach

This study develops a flexible Latent Class Model (LCM) to investigate the electric vehicle (EV) type choice decisions of Halifax residents. It utilizes cross-sectional data from the 2022 Halifax Travel Activity (HaliTRAC) survey, which includes questions related to EV adoption. This study also analyzes eight attitude and lifestyle preference related statements using principal component analysis (PCA) technique and finally extracts three components labeled as “EV enthusiasts”, “Sustainable travellers”, and “Remote work arrangement admirers”. This paper explores the heterogeneity between two classes for different alternative vehicle type choice, such as, battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and regular internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Based on class membership attributes, class-1 can be identified as those who live in suburban areas, have a large family with high vehicle ownership, and are interested in travelling with their family members, especially with their children and vice-versa for class-2. Results suggest that variables across two classes portray heterogeneity, such as, full-time worker portray positive correlation for class-1 and negative to class-2; high annual household income group (more than $200,000) exhibit high propensity to choose BEV in class-2 and vice-versa for class-1. Sustainable travelers emphasize the adverse connection towards regular vehicles, while EV enthusiasts demonstrate a favorable association with embracing any type of EV (BEV, PHEV, HEV). Furthermore, the findings from this analysis provide guidance for policy measures such as offering purchase incentives, expanding charging infrastructure, and implementing tax rebates to promote the uptake of EV among the residents of Halifax.

Health welfare in the digital era: Exploring the impact of digital trade on residents' health

As a product combining information and communication technology, digital technology, and traditional trade, digital trade represents a new form of international trade development in the context of economic globalization. As its scale continues to expand, digital trade not only profoundly impacts consumer health behaviors and environmental pollution control but also enhances opportunities for residents to access healthcare products and services. This could potentially have a significant promoting effect on residents' health levels. However, the extent and mechanisms through which digital trade affects residents' health remain unclear. Accordingly, this study fills in a gap in the research by calculating the provincial-level digital trade index for China from 2012–2020 and matching it with data from the China Family Panel Studies. The goal is to find the micro-causal mechanisms of digital trade on residents' health from green consumption and environmental improvement perspectives. The results show that digital trade reduces residents' medical expenses and improves their health. We use a quasi-natural experiment by treating the cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone as a digital trade treatment group and conducting a difference-in-differences estimation, finding that the health effects of digital trade remain significant. Heterogeneity indicates that the health effects of digital trade are powerful for middle- and high-income households and rural residents. In the east and center, in regions with well-developed transportation infrastructure and digital financial inclusion, the development of digital trade is more conducive to residents' health. Additionally, we demonstrate that digital trade can affect residents' health by promoting green consumption, eliminating energy poverty (i.e., improving indoor air pollution), and enhancing environmental quality (i.e., improving outdoor environmental pollution). This study provides solid scientific empirical evidence for enhancing human sustainable development through global digital trade.