Page 133 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Environmental impact on Ukraine’s quality of life

regulation, is becoming a haven for polluters. The lack 4. Discussion
of stringent environmental regulations allows foreign
investors to operate in ways that degrade natural resources While the regression analysis provides valuable insights into
and negatively impact public health. Official statistical data the factors influencing mortality in the Carpathian region,
on FDI in Zakarpattia and Lviv highlight a concentration several limitations must be acknowledged. The reliance on
in manufacturing-related industries, particularly the aggregated-level data for the four oblasts introduced the
automotive and machinery sectors (NBU, 2024). In risk of ecological fallacy, where relationships observed at
Zakarpatska oblast, FDI often targets enterprises producing the group level may not accurately reflect individual-level
car components, leveraging the region’s proximity to dynamics. For example, variations within oblasts or among
European markets and lower operational costs. Lviv specific population subgroups may remain obscured,
attracts significant foreign investment in information potentially leading to oversimplified conclusions. Median
technology and manufacturing, particularly in textiles mortality rates and other aggregate measures may not
and food processing, which align with the region’s skilled capture short-term fluctuations or localized phenomena,
workforce and infrastructure. Both regions also see foreign such as disease outbreaks or environmental disasters.
capital flowing into the energy and mining sectors, often Methodologically, while differencing and lagging
associated with less stringent environmental regulations. variables address issues, such as non-stationarity and
This investment pattern underscores the dual impact simultaneity bias, these techniques may also reduce the
of FDI, fostering economic growth while potentially richness of the data by focusing solely on changes rather
increasing environmental and health-related challenges. than absolute levels. Furthermore, while comprehensive,
However, in Ivano-Frankivska oblast, a different pattern the selection of variables may exclude other relevant
emerged: FDI growth was associated with a reduction in factors, such as behavioral, cultural, or institutional
mortality, potentially due to a more sustainable structure of influences, which could play a critical role in shaping
investments or different industrial profiles. This divergent mortality outcomes.
result highlights the need for further research into how the Finally, the studies temporal scope (2001 – 2020)
specific nature and sectors of foreign investments shape limits its applicability to ongoing developments, such
health outcomes across different regions. as the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As
The results regarding healthcare expenditures were also the pandemic significantly impacted mortality rates in
mixed. While the hypothesis that increased healthcare 2020, caution is warranted when generalizing findings to
spending reduces mortality was confirmed for Zakarpatska future periods or attributing trends solely to the factors
oblast, the opposite effect was observed in Lvivska oblast, analyzed. Addressing these limitations in future research
likely due to the inefficacy of state health policies. In other could involve incorporating micro-level data, exploring
oblasts, healthcare spending was not found to have a additional variables, and extending the temporal range to
statistically significant impact on mortality. These findings enhance the robustness and applicability of the findings.
underscore the complexity of public health dynamics, As the analysis showed a negative impact of
where simply increasing spending is not enough – effective environmental problems on the quality of life of the
allocation, proper management, and the design of targeted population in the Carpathian region, ways to address these
health interventions are crucial to ensuring that healthcare problems and overcome the environmental crisis must be
investments lead to tangible improvements in population found. One such solution is the implementation of policy
health. measures consolidated within the Carpathian Eco-Way
Thus, the regression analysis validated the hypotheses strategic initiative. The strategy framework stipulates
about the negative impact of water and air pollution on the the achievement of several major and interdependent
population’s quality of life in the Carpathian region. These objectives: preserving and restoring natural capital in the
variables led to increased mortality rates. At the same Carpathian region, ensuring the cleanliness of the air, water,
time, GRP per capita and expenditure on environmental and land, transitioning to a green economy, and developing
measures for the region decreased mortality. In addition, an environmentally efficient behavior model for economic
foreign investments sometimes lead to increased mortality, entities, residents, and visitors of the region (Figure 4).
which requires a more detailed study of their structure
and indicates the need for improvements in regional 4.1. Objective 1: Preservation of the natural capital
investment policies. This challenges the assumption that of the Carpathians
all investments are beneficial and calls for a more nuanced The achievement of this objective requires the development
approach to regional investment strategies. and implementation of measures to protect and rehabilitate

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 127 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4487