Assessing multifactorial correlates of health-related quality of life in the general Swiss population

Due to substantial increases in life expectancy, the global proportion of older adults is rapidly growing. Consequently, public health research cannot just focus on mortality and morbidity but it is imperative to consider health-related quality of life outcomes. There is a consensus in the literature that quality of life is associated with many major life domains covering health conditions, physiological functions, individual and environmental factors as well as social and psychosocial aspects. Although, many studies have been conducted over the years to understand factors contributing to health-related quality of life, still much evidentiary information is missing on how these multifactorial health-related contributors are interrelated and affect quality of life in later life stages.
To contribute towards understanding the holistic multifactorial concept of health-related quality of life, this PhD thesis aimed at thoroughly elucidating associations of lifestyle, physiological functioning and the environment with health-related quality of life in a Swiss-wide cohort.
The present work adds relevant evidence to the pursuit of understanding the complex notion of health-related quality of life in aging populations. The widespread importance of health-related quality of life research should be acknowledged by decision-makers and translated into policies targeting the maintenance of well-being for older adults. Most importantly, public health interventions should be shaped to reduce the substantial socio-economic gradient in today’s society, as this remains the major predictor of decreased quality of life.