Assessing the Relationship Between Clean Cooking Fuels and Women's Cancer Mortality in the European Union: An Empirical Analysis

This study investigates the impact of access to clean cooking fuels on cancer mortality among women in the European Union from 2013 to 2021. Using Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Quantile Regression (QREG) statistical models, it identifies key variables such as access to clean fuels, education levels, and air quality that were positively and negatively associated with cancer mortality. The findings provide new insights into the socio-environmental determinants of health, highlighting the potential of clean energy initiatives to reduce cancer mortality and improve public health. Additionally, the study reveals an unexpected association between education levels and cancer outcomes. The research underscores 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 prioritising clean energy solutions, implementing targeted healthcare and educational interventions, and enhancing air quality standards. Furthermore, gender-responsive healthcare policies should focus on ensuring equitable access to cancer prevention and care. Public health campaigns should emphasise healthier behaviours 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 generalising findings across diverse EU contexts. Future research should include longitudinal studies, causal analyses, and comparative studies to elucidate further 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.