Impact of clean energy use on the health of rural residents in China: The mediating role of leisure activities and household cleanliness

Liao, W; Chen, C; Shi, X; Ye, F

Impact of clean energy use on the health of rural residents in China: The mediating role of leisure activities and household cleanliness

Liao, W Chen, C Shi, X

Ye, F

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sustainable Futures, 2025, 9
Issue Date:: 2025-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Liao, W
dc.contributor.author	Chen, C
dc.contributor.author	Shi, X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9653-7395
dc.contributor.author	Ye, F
dc.date.accessioned	2025-10-15T03:55:59Z
dc.date.available	2025-10-15T03:55:59Z
dc.date.issued	2025-06-01
dc.identifier.citation	Sustainable Futures, 2025, 9
dc.identifier.issn	2666-1888
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190424
dc.description.abstract	Against the backdrop of global sustainable development goals and Healthy China Initiative, investigating the health impacts of clean energy adoption in rural areas is critical for improving rural well-being and advancing sustainable social development. Using data from 6535 China Family Panel Studies, this study employs a multiple ordered probit model and mediation effect model to examine the health effects of clean energy use. Descriptive statistics reveal that 62.3 % of rural residents report good, very good, or excellent health, while 61.6 % use clean energy. Despite these encouraging trends, both health outcomes and clean energy adoption rates still leave room for improvement. Empirical results demonstrate that clean energy use significantly improves rural health outcomes by reducing asthma incidence, physical discomfort, and depressive symptoms. Notably, the health benefits are more pronounced among women, low-income households, and residents in central-western regions. Mechanistic analysis identifies two indirect pathways: clean energy adoption improves health outcomes through increased leisure activities and enhanced household cleanliness. Consequently, the government needs to enhance the production and promotion of clean energy, implement awareness campaigns for it, foster a conducive atmosphere for its utilization, and bolster the establishment of public cultural and recreational facilities in rural regions.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER
dc.relation.ispartof	Sustainable Futures
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100731
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	3304 Urban and regional planning
dc.subject.classification	4404 Development studies
dc.title	Impact of clean energy use on the health of rural residents in China: The mediating role of leisure activities and household cleanliness
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	9
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (International)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (International)/Australia-China Relations Institute
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-10-15T03:55:57Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	9

Abstract:

Against the backdrop of global sustainable development goals and Healthy China Initiative, investigating the health impacts of clean energy adoption in rural areas is critical for improving rural well-being and advancing sustainable social development. Using data from 6535 China Family Panel Studies, this study employs a multiple ordered probit model and mediation effect model to examine the health effects of clean energy use. Descriptive statistics reveal that 62.3 % of rural residents report good, very good, or excellent health, while 61.6 % use clean energy. Despite these encouraging trends, both health outcomes and clean energy adoption rates still leave room for improvement. Empirical results demonstrate that clean energy use significantly improves rural health outcomes by reducing asthma incidence, physical discomfort, and depressive symptoms. Notably, the health benefits are more pronounced among women, low-income households, and residents in central-western regions. Mechanistic analysis identifies two indirect pathways: clean energy adoption improves health outcomes through increased leisure activities and enhanced household cleanliness. Consequently, the government needs to enhance the production and promotion of clean energy, implement awareness campaigns for it, foster a conducive atmosphere for its utilization, and bolster the establishment of public cultural and recreational facilities in rural regions.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190424