A recent study published on October 2, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, highlights that the quality of the environment plays a crucial role in influencing women’s overall quality of life and health. The research was conducted by Suzanne Skevington and her team from the University of Manchester, U.K.
While there are generally minor gender disparities in health-related quality of life, larger surveys often simplify assessments to focus solely on overall quality of life and its physical and psychological aspects. This narrow view tends to ignore critical elements such as environmental, social, and spiritual quality of life. To address this gap, Skevington and her colleagues gathered data through four surveys involving 17,608 adults from 43 different cultures around the globe. They examined six areas of quality of life: physical, psychological, independence, social, environmental, and spiritual.
The analysis revealed that environmental quality of life accounts for a significant 46% of the overall quality of life and health among women, with the home environment being the most influential factor. Additionally, women under the age of 45 reported a lower quality of life across all areas. However, after reaching 45, assessments for all areas, except for physical quality of life, improved markedly and remained high even for those over 75, particularly in terms of environmental quality.
The researchers suggest that young adults’ activism regarding climate change may stem from their lower quality of life related to environmental factors. Conversely, the high environmental quality of life among older women might motivate them to advocate for preserving this advantage for future generations. This could pave the way for future studies, especially given that the data was collected before the widespread acknowledgment of how climate change and biodiversity loss are influenced by human actions.
These findings highlight the necessity of considering environmental, social, and spiritual aspects when evaluating women’s quality of life and health. Furthermore, the insights gained from this research could support timely interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for women of all ages.
The authors conclude: “For women, the impact of the environment on their quality of life is considerable. This encompasses factors such as the conditions of their homes, their financial means, and their exposure to environmental health risks like pollution.”
