Valuing a reduction in the risk of very low birth weight
A large scale multi-country stated preference approach
There is ample evidence that exposure to various chemicals can increase the probability
of children to be born with low or very low birth weight. Infants born with very low
birth weight have a higher risk of suffering from neurosensory problems, issues related
to behavioural and social competencies, and learning disabilities than infants born
with normal birth weight. Authorities face challenges in regulating chemical substances
through actions such as bans and prohibitions, because of the difficulty in explicitly
considering the economic benefits and costs of such regulations. Moreover, existing
Values of a Statistical Case (VSC) of very low birth weight are rare and cannot be
directly applied to the cost benefit analysis of chemical management options for a
wide range of countries.
This paper is part of the series of large scale willingness to pay (WTP) studies resulting
from the Surveys to elicit Willingness to pay to Avoid Chemicals related negative
Health Effects (SWACHE) project that intends to improve the basis for doing cost benefit
analyses of chemicals management options and environmental policies in general. The
present paper details a stated preference survey estimating WTP to reduce the risk
of very low birth weight, filling an important gap in the valuation literature and
addressing a need for applied benefits analysis for chemicals regulation. The SWACHE
very low birth weight survey was fielded in 9 countries: Canada, the Czech Republic,
Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the
United States.
Published on June 05, 2023
In series:OECD Environment Working Papersview more titles