Valuing a reduction in the risk of hypertension

Exposure to harmful environmental contaminants and chemicals – including industrial metals, bisphenol A and its substitutes – is associated with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Many of these hazards are subject to regulation, or may be considered for regulation, in order to reduce exposure and prevent human health risks. However, valuation estimates for hypertension effects that can be used in benefit-cost analyses are lacking. In particular, previous valuation work does not provide internationally comparable willingness-to-pay values to avoid hypertension. This paper seeks to fill that gap and address the need for applied benefits analysis for chemicals regulation. It presents findings from a new stated preference study examining individuals’ willingness-to-pay to reduce their risk of hypertension across 10 countries (Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Greece, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States). It serves as a component of a broader project on Surveys on Willingness to Pay to Avoid Negative Chemicals-Related Health Effects (SWACHE) seeking to establish internationally comparable values for the willingness-to-pay to avoid negative health effects due to exposure to chemicals.