In our article, we conduct an empirical analysis utilizing a 5-year panel data sourced from the China Family Panel Studies. Our findings indicate that elevated housing price exert a significantly adverse influence on fertility decisions, with observed heterogeneity that is more pronounced among urban-dwelling families, those without property rights, those with existing children, and females aged between 31 and 40. Following the relaxation of the family planning policy, this negative effect becomes notably more pronounced. These conclusions remain robust with IV estimation. Considering the underlying mechanisms, the impact of high housing prices extends beyond a mere crowding-out effect on fertility through consumption. It also serves to motivate females to enhance their education, diminishes their self-identity, raises the cost of child-rearing, and exerts an inhibitory effect on marriage. Collectively, these factors further amplify the adverse impact of housing prices on the fertility rate.

At the beginning of 2020, the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 posed a huge challenge to the governance capabilities of public health in various countries. In this paper, the SEIR model is used to fit the number of confirmed cases in each province in China, and the reduction rate of the basic reproduction number is used to measure the actual score of the control effect of COVID-19. The potential capacity of prevention and control of epidemics, in theory, is constructed, and we use the difference between theoretical ability and actual score to measure the ability of governance of public health. We found that there were significant differences between actual effect and theoretical ability in various regions, and governance capabilities were an important reason leading to this difference, which was not consistent with the level of economic development. The balance of multiple objectives, the guiding ideology of emphasizing medical treatment over prevention, the fragmentation of the public health system, and the insufficiency of prevention and control ability in primary public health systems seriously affected the government’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Energy poverty, defined as the inability to access reliable, safe, and affordable energy services necessary to meet basic needs, represents a critical global challenge alongside traditional poverty concerns. Unlike conventional poverty, energy poverty emphasizes the importance of energy availability and affordability, with inadequate access adversely affecting health, education, and social well-being. Recognized as a primary challenge within the global energy landscape, energy poverty has garnered considerable attention from both international communities and academic researchers. This paper provides a comprehensive overview, starting with the definition and measurement of energy poverty, discussing its current status, exploring its causes and impacts, and proposing actionable policy interventions. Finally, it outlines future prospects for addressing and mitigating energy poverty.