Date of Graduation

Spring 5-19-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Economics

First Advisor

Andrew Hobbs

Second Advisor

Jesse Anttila-Hughes

Abstract

Child malnutrition is alarmingly high in Nigeria with the highest number of malnourished children, the second highest population of stunted children worldwide and 17 million Nigerians facing food insecurity. According to the World Health Organization, children are predicted to suffer about 80% of weather-related illnesses and deaths. As climate change continues to pose the greatest health threat and while scientists predict its irreversible effects in the next 10 years, countries such as Nigeria are already experiencing the burden of climate change today. This study uses total rainfall to measure precipitation and two Enhanced Vegetation Index variables, total change in greenness and peak greenness, to measure vegetation. This study contributes to the existing literature on the link between weather and health outcomes by exploring the relationship between weather shocks, represented by the precipitation and vegetation weathers, and health outcomes, represented by Body Mass Index and food insecurity indicators. I show that rural areas in Nigeria are disproportionately impacted by weather shocks as seen through the health outcomes, implying that regional variations exist and that the poorest sectors of Nigeria bear an even more severe burden of climate change. Results suggest that there is no clear causal effect between precipitation and the health outcomes, but I do seem to find a causal relationship between vegetation and BMI.

Download

Share

COinS