Article: A cross‑sectional study from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India

Polluting cooking fuels and life satisfaction among middle‑aged and older adults: a cross‑sectional study from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India

Dr. Imnameren Longkumer, is a Narotam Sekhsaria Fellow (2025) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center. Dr. Imnameren is mentored by Professor S.V. Subramanian, Professor of Population Health and Geography at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Polluting cooking fuels remain a major source of household air pollution in India. This study examines how their use is associated with Life Satisfaction (LS) among adults aged 45 years and above across the country.

Using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, the study found that life satisfaction was highest among households using Clean Fuels (CF), followed by those using polluting fuels in a separate kitchen. It was lowest among households using polluting fuels without a separate room for cooking. Gender was a significant effect modifier, with women showing a stronger negative association between non-CF use and LS as compared to men, indicating greater gender vulnerability to the effects of polluting cooking fuels on life satisfaction.

Research publication such as this reflect the Harvard Chan India Research Center’s commitment to advancing public health research in India. Through initiatives such as the Narotam Sekhsaria Fellowship, the Center supports postdoctoral researchers in India in generating evidence that can inform public health policy and practice.