Respiratory Symptom Burden and Quality of Life Among Older Adults Amidst Climate Change: A Descriptive Rapid Survey in Indonesia

Climate change has intensified environmental conditions that may affect respiratory comfort and overall well-being, particularly among older adults. Empirical evidence on respiratory symptoms and quality of life in later life across diverse climatic contexts remains limited. A rapid online survey was conducted from July to September 2024 among 1,585 adults aged ≥60 years from 14 provinces. Respiratory symptoms were assessed using the WURSS-24, and quality of life using the WHOQOL. Descriptive statistics were applied. Mild to moderate respiratory symptoms were commonly reported in daily life. Higher respiratory symptom burden and lower quality of life were descriptively observed with advancing age, no employment history, and residence in hotter, drier zones. Differences by sex and educational background were minimal, and subgroup patterns in respiratory symptoms were descriptively compared with quality-of-life domain scores. Respiratory symptoms among older adults in Indonesia were commonly reported and descriptively presented alongside perceived quality-of-life scores.