Transportation-Induced Carbon Emissions Jeopardize Healthcare Logistics Sustainability: Toward a Healthier Today and a Better Tomorrow
Khalid Zaman,
Muhammad Khalid Anser,
Usama Awan,
Wiwik Handayani,
Hailan Salamun,
Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz,
Mohd Khata Jabor,
Kamalularifin Subari
Affiliations
Khalid Zaman
Department of Economics, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22620, Pakistan
Muhammad Khalid Anser
School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710000, China
Usama Awan
Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland
Wiwik Handayani
Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Surabaya 60294, Indonesia
Hailan Salamun
Centre for Foundation and Continuing Education (PPAL), Department of Nationhood and Civilization, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus 21300, Terengganu, Malaysia
Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz
Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Mohd Khata Jabor
Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Kamalularifin Subari
Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Background: Logistics operations are considered essential for transporting commodities from one location to another, helping to promote global economic activity. On the other hand, its negative impact eclipses its positive impact, namely the rise in healthcare expenditures due to its ecological footprint. Globally, rising out-of-pocket health expenses result from logistic-induced carbon emissions, posing a danger to the long-term viability of healthcare. Methods: Based on this critical fact, this study examined the impact of logistics operations on healthcare costs by controlling for carbon emissions, fuel imports, and economic development across a large cross-section of 131 nations by using the Robust Least Squares Regression. Results: The findings demonstrate a U-shaped association between logistical operations and healthcare expenditures, i.e., if there is a 1% increase in logistics operations, healthcare expenditures decrease by −2.421% initially, while at later stages, healthcare costs would increase by 0.139%. On the other hand, increased fuel imports and economic growth due to logistics activities are increasing healthcare expenditures with an elasticity estimate of 0.087% and 0.147%, respectively. According to the forecasting predictions, logistics-induced carbon emissions, fuel imports, and economic expansion will increase healthcare expenses. Conclusions: A sustainable logistics operation is critical for strengthening healthcare infrastructure and meeting the global carbon neutrality goal.
