Fracking and risky sexual activity

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the U.S. fracking boom on local STI transmission rates and prostitution activity as measured by online prostitution review counts. We first document significant and robust positive effects on gonorrhea rates in fracking counties at the national level. But we find no evidence that fracking increases prostitution when using our national data, suggesting sex work may not be the principal mechanism linking fracking to gonorrhea growth. To explore mechanisms, we then focus on remote, high-fracking production areas that experienced large increases in sex ratios due to male in-migration. For this restricted sample we find enhanced gonorrhea transmission effects and moderate evidence of extensive margin effects on prostitution markets. This study highlights public health concerns relating to economic shocks and occupational conditions that alter the local demographic composition.

The Tragedy of the Nurdles: Governing Global Externalities

“…The concern with groundwater is one of many negative externalities associated with the extraction of shale. Other documented externalities include environmental pollution in the extraction process [36,37], crime [38], risky sexual behavior [39], traffic accidents as a consequence of more trucking activity in areas with fracking [40], and declining housing values near wells [41] (For an extensive review of these externalities, see Piano and Murtazashvili [42,43]). There are also numerous positive externalities associated with shale gas development, including an increase in economic activities and associated benefits such as job growth and investment in public infrastructure [44].…”

Economic, Environmental, and Health Impacts of the Fracking Boom

“…Using a DID framework that compares counties with and without UOGD wells over time in Pennsylvania, Beleche & Cintina (2018) find evidence of increased rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and prostitution-related arrests. Using national county-level data, Cunningham et al (2020) compare STI rates over time between counties intersecting a shale play to those that do not and find evidence that UOGD increased rates of gonorrhea but not syphilis or chlamydia. Using two-way fixed effects panel methods to compare opioid mortality rates from the coal bust to the UOGD boom, find evidence that the coal bust is associated with increased opioid overdose-related mortality, especially for residents and populations that are most likely to be employed by the industry.…”

Shifting Climate Communication Narratives Toward Actions and Futures in a Rural Area of Appalachia

“…More recently, southwestern Pennsylvania was an epicenter of a natural gas boom (Hill, 2018; Jerolmack, 2021). Shale gas development in Pennsylvania and elsewhere is associated with drinking water pollution and adverse health outcomes (Cunningham et al, 2020; Hill & Ma, 2022). The five-county Laurel Highlands area has nearly 1,400 unconventional gas wells (Whitacre & Slyder, 2022).…”