Center for Health Informatics Examining Environmental Impacts on Health Speaker Series: Julian Reif

Dr. Julian Reif is Associate Professor of Finance and Economics at Gies College of Business, University of Illinois. He is also affiliated with the National Bureau of Economic Research, J-PAL North America, the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities, and the Institute of Government and Public Affairs. His research has been supported by J-PAL North America, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Abstract:
Many environmental hazards have long-run health effects, but quasi-experimental studies typically measure outcomes and treatment over short time periods. We develop a new framework for quantifying the effect of air pollution exposure on life expectancy. Using changes in wind direction as an instrument for daily sulfur dioxide levels, we first characterize the dynamic mortality effects of short-run exposure. We then incorporate these estimates into a demographic model to quantify the lifelong effects of a permanent reduction in air pollution exposure. Ninety percent of the survival benefits accrue after the first fifty years of life.

About the speaker series:
This speaker series brings together researchers on campus whose work touches on environmental impacts (e.g., air quality, water quality, weather patterns) on health, to share their current research and to foster discussion and collaboration.  

We meet most Tuesdays, noon-1 pm US Central Time, on Zoom.  This series is hosted by the iSchool’s Center for Health Informatics (CHI), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the University of Illinois’ Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI).