This study investigates the impact of access to clean cooking fuels on cancer mortality among women in the European Union from 2013 to 2021. The focus on the EU is justified by the region's relatively high living standards and well-developed infrastructure, which provide a unique context for examining the residual health impacts of incomplete transitions to clean cooking fuels. Through statistical models, it identifies key variables that are both positively and negatively associated with cancer mortality, providing new insights into the socio-environmental determinants of health. The findings underscore the potential of clean energy initiatives to reduce cancer mortality and improve public health, while also revealing an unexpected association between education levels and cancer outcomes. The study highlights the critical role of air quality, particularly the need to address PM2.5 exposure, and calls for comprehensive pollution reduction policies. Key policy recommendations include prioritizing clean energy solutions, implementing targeted healthcare and educational interventions, and enhancing air quality standards. Furthermore, gender-responsive healthcare policies should be a focus to ensure equitable access to cancer prevention and care. Public health campaigns should also emphasize the promotion of healthier behaviors and address stereotypes that may hinder women’s health. While the study provides valuable insights, it acknowledges certain limitations, including issues with data quality, the study’s time frame, and the challenges of generalizing findings across diverse EU contexts. Future research should include longitudinal studies, causal analyses, and comparative studies to further elucidate the complex relationships between socio-environmental factors and cancer mortality. Research on socioeconomic determinants and their role in shaping cancer outcomes will be particularly important, as will efforts to ensure the consistency and quality of health data across the EU.
Authors: Matheus Koengkan, José Alberto Fuinhas, Negin Entezari
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32388/7swt9q.3
Publish Year: 2025
