Economic growth, air pollution and health outcomes in Nigeria: A moderated mediation model

The third of the sustainable development goals is to ensure healthy living and promote well-being for all by 2030. The Nigerian government has made several efforts at achieving this goal. Economic experts have projected that the Nigerian economy must grow at a minimum rate of 6-8% yearly to catch up with global development and contribute positively to goals set by nations of the world. However, the attainment of high levels of economic growth could have implications for the attainment of other development objectives in the economy. One of such implications is pollution of the environment caused through productive activities. In carrying out productive activities, a cycle from production to consumption occurs to affect the release of emissions into the atmosphere and environment which in turn hampers health stability. In order to assess the cyclical effects of these economic relationships, this study adopted the use of a moderated mediation model. The model helped in the explanation of interactions among economic growth, air pollution and health performance. The interactions were analyzed with PROCESS macro, an analytical tool developed by Hayes. The study found air pollution and government expenditure on health as a significant interaction that affects health performance in Nigeria. Consequently, efforts by the government to ensure environmentally friendly production and consumption will minimize air pollution and prevent adverse health outcomes. Manufacturing firms that emit poisonous gases into the air should be sanctioned. This will serve as a deterrent to others.