Valuing a Reduction in the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Large-Scale Multi-Country Stated Preference Approach

Abstract

Compromised kidney function is associated with an array of environmental contaminants and pathogens that may be considered for regulation. However, there are few valuation estimates for kidney effects for use in benefit-cost analyses, particularly willingness-to-pay estimates. This paper is one of several surveys valuing morbidity developed by the OECD Surveys to elicit Willingness-to-pay to Avoid Chemicals-related negative Health Effects project, which aims to improve the basis for benefit-cost analyses. We report the results of a stated preference survey valuing reduced the risk of symptomatic chronic kidney disease, filling an important gap in the valuation literature and addressing a need for applied benefits analysis of chemical regulation. The survey was administered to representative samples in each of 10 countries: Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The mean (median) WTP for an average reduction of 3.5 in 1,000 of the risk of serious kidney disease over 5 years is $2,609 ($764), corresponding to a mean (median) value per statistical case (VSC) of chronic kidney disease of $805,000 ($224,000). The mean VSC varies between $700,000 for Canada and $1,200,000 for Türkiye.

Keywords: D61; I18; J17; K32; Q51; Q53; Q58; health risk; health valuation; kidney disease; stated preference; willingness-to-pay.

Figure 1.

Sample WTP question.