Work

Household Clean Cooking Fuel Transition and Attenuated Cardiopulmonary Function Decline: A National Longitudinal Study of Middle‐Aged and Older Adults in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The use of solid fuels for cooking is a significant public health concern, especially for middle‐aged and older adults. Limited longitudinal data exists on the impact of transitioning to clean fuels on cardiopulmonary health. Methods Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) (2011–2020) were analyzed. From the baseline solid fuel users, we constructed two independent subcohorts to evaluate short‐term (2013–2015) physiological changes and long‐term (through 2020) disease risks, respectively. Multivariable regression models assessed short‐term changes in peak expiratory flow (PEF), blood pressure, and pulse and long‐term risks of cardiopulmonary diseases. Results Among the 6534 participants in the short‐term cohort, 27.4% transitioned to clean cooking fuels by 2013. The transition to clean fuels was associated with a significant attenuation of PEF decline by 11.0 L/min (95% CI: 4.7–17.3; p < 0.001), which was partially mediated by reductions in depressive symptoms (mediating proportion = 12 % ). A modest but significant reduction in systolic blood pressure was also observed ( β = −1.7, p = 0.017). In the long‐term cohort ( n = 6362), with 33.5% transitioning by 2015, clean fuel use was associated with a 20% lower risk of chronic lung disease (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.7–1.0, p = 0.044) and heart disease (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.7–1.0, p = 0.028) but no significant association with hypertension. Protective effects were more pronounced in nonsmokers and nondrinkers (OR range: 0.7–0.8). Conclusion Transition to clean cooking fuels is associated with slower pulmonary decline and lower cardiopulmonary disease risk, supporting its role in healthy aging strategies.

Source: Indoor Air

DOI: 10.1155/ina/8898458