Policy relevant heterogeneity in the value of statistical life: New evidence from panel data quantile regressions

被引:0
作者
Thomas J. Kniesner
W. Kip Viscusi
James P. Ziliak
机构
[1] Syracuse University,Senior Research Associate, Center for Policy Research
[2] IZA,University Distinguished Professor of Law, Economics, and Management
[3] Vanderbilt University,Carol Martin Gatton Chair in Microeconomics, Center for Poverty Research
[4] University of Kentucky,undefined
来源
Journal of Risk and Uncertainty | 2010年 / 40卷
关键词
Value of statistical life; VSL; Quantile regression; Panel data; Fixed effects; PSID; Fatality risk; CFOI; C23; I10; J17; J28; K00;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
We examine differences in the value of statistical life (VSL) across potential wage levels in panel data using quantile regressions with intercept heterogeneity. Latent heterogeneity is econometrically important and affects the estimated VSL. Our findings indicate that a reasonable average cost per expected life saved cut-off for health and safety regulations is $7 million to $8 million per life saved, but the VSL varies considerably across the labor force. Our results reconcile the previous discrepancies between hedonic VSL estimates and the values implied by theories linked to the coefficient of relative risk aversion. Because the VSL varies elastically with income, regulatory agencies should regularly update the VSL used in benefit assessments, increasing the VSL proportionally with changes in income over time.
引用
收藏
页码:15 / 31
页数:16
相关论文
共 32 条
  • [1] Aldy JE(2008)Adjusting the value of a statistical life for age and cohort effects Review of Economics and Statistics 90 573-581
  • [2] Viscusi WK(2008)Valuing lives equally: Defensible premise or unwarranted compromise? Journal of Risk and Uncertainty 36 125-138
  • [3] Baker R(2003)On the measurement of job risk in hedonic wage models Journal of Risk and Uncertainty 27 205-220
  • [4] Chilton S(2006)A new method of estimating risk aversion The American Economic Review 96 1821-1834
  • [5] Jones-Lee M(1983)Workers’ compensation, job hazards, and wages Industrial and Labor Relations Review 36 642-654
  • [6] Metcalf H(2001)Background risks and the value of a statistical life Journal of Risk and Uncertainty 23 261-279
  • [7] Black DA(2008)Saving lives through administrative law and economics University of Pennsylvania Law Review 157 395-540
  • [8] Kniesner TJ(1979)Pricing rules for hospitals The Bell Journal of Economics 10 224-243
  • [9] Chetty R(2005)The value of a statistical life and the coefficient of relative risk aversion Journal of Risk and Uncertainty 31 23-34
  • [10] Dorsey S(2002)Tax reform and automatic stabilization The American Economic Review 92 590-612