Impact of agro-product geographical indications on rural residents’ health

Based on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS, 2010–2020) and national Agro-product Geographical Indications (AGIs) registries, this study examines the impact of county-level AGIs development on rural residents’ health outcomes. The results indicate that while AGIs development enhances physical health, it also increases psychological distress—an effect that remains robust across multiple specifications. Heterogeneity analyses further reveal that these impacts vary across gender, education, occupation, and geographic region. We identify five key mechanisms driving these results: income growth; resource agglomeration and local employment creation; rising inequality; changes in health behaviors; and the expansion of new agricultural business entities. Moreover, we find evidence of intergenerational spillover effects, suggesting that AGI development contributes to the accumulation of health capital across generations. These findings underscore the importance of promoting AGI certification nationwide, supporting innovative agricultural business models, strengthening public engagement, and addressing cognitive barriers that may hinder AGI-driven sustainable development in rural China.