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Willingness to pay for mortality risk reductions: Does latency matter?

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Abstract

Using results from two contingent valuation surveys conducted in Canada and the U.S., we explore the effect of a latency period on willingness to pay (WTP) for reduced mortality risk using a structural model. We find that delaying the time at which the risk reduction occurs by 10 to 30 years reduces WTP by more than 60% for respondents in both samples aged 40 to 60 years. The implicit discount rates are equal to 3.0–8.6% for Canada and 1.3–5.6% for the U.S.

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Correspondence to Nathalie B. Simon.

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JEL Classification Q51 · Q58

The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the USEPA or of the World Bank, its Executive Directors or the countries they represent.

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Alberini, A., Cropper, M., Krupnick, A. et al. Willingness to pay for mortality risk reductions: Does latency matter?. J Risk Uncertainty 32, 231–245 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-006-9521-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-006-9521-0

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