VALUING STATISTICAL LIVES

Autores

  • David Pearce CSERGE

Palavras-chave:

valuing statistical lives

Resumo

Cost-benefit studies, in both developed and developing countries, are increasingly being applied to environmental policies and to policies that affect the environment. In many cases, the impacts on human health dominate. Moreover, impacts on premature mortality are playing a major role in the assessment of policy benefits. The economic valuation of premature mortality revolves round the concept of the ‘value of a statistical life’ (VOSL) which is an aggregated form of individuals’ willingness to pay to reduce risks. Hence, getting this particular value right is of major importance to cost-benefit assessment. Yet there are numerous disputes over the VOSL. One major concern relates to the likelihood that some environmental policy will alter life expectancy among older groups only, saving perhaps a few months of life. Should these gains be valued in the same way as gains to younger persons? This paper reviews the evidence and suggests that VOSL remains the correct concept for valuing life expectancy changes.

Biografia do Autor

David Pearce, CSERGE

* Director of the Center for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE) and Professor at University College London

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Publicado

2022-08-31

Como Citar

Pearce, D. (2022). VALUING STATISTICAL LIVES. Planejamento E Políticas Públicas, (18). Recuperado de //www.ipea.gov.br/ppp/index.php/PPP/article/view/99