Environmental Degradation in Southeast Asia Linked to Declining Sexual and Reproductive Health
Bangkok, Thailand – November 19, 2025, 08:16:20 ICT - A newly published scoping review reveals a significant correlation between anthropogenic environmental changes and worsened sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes across Southeast Asia.The research, released November 18, 2025, identifies factors like expanding plantation agriculture, pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events as key drivers impacting the region’s population.
The study underscores a critical, often overlooked consequence of environmental degradation: its direct impact on basic human health rights. Southeast Asia, a region already grappling with the effects of climate change, faces escalating risks to SRH, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering progress toward sustainable growth goals. the findings call for urgent, interdisciplinary research-particularly focusing on the ethical and political dimensions-to address these interconnected challenges and inform effective interventions.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature to assess the relationship between environmental change and SRH in the region. The analysis pinpointed large-scale plantation expansion as a contributing factor, alongside pollution stemming from both agricultural and industrial activities. The tropical climate of Southeast Asia further amplifies the region’s susceptibility to extreme weather, compounding the negative effects on SRH.
The scoping review, accessible via DOI 10.31223/X5345M, is categorized under Public Health and utilizes keywords including sexual and reproductive health, environmental change, climate change, Southeast Asia, and pollution. All data utilized in the study is publicly available online.
The authors report no conflicts of interest and have released their work under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, ensuring broad accessibility and encouraging further research. This study represents a crucial step in understanding the complex interplay between environmental health and human well-being in a rapidly changing world.
