Metrics details. Research suggests that living in fuel poverty and cold homes contributes to poor physical and mental health, and that interventions targeted at those living in poor quality housing may lead to health improvements. However, little is known about the socio-economic intermediaries and processes that contribute to better health. This study examined the relationship between energy efficiency investments to homes in low-income areas and mental and physical health of residents, as well as a number of psychosocial outcomes likely to be part of the complex relationship between energy efficiency measures and health outcomes.
Survey data were collected in the winters before and after installation of energy efficiency measures, including external wall insulation. The study used a multilevel modelling repeated measures approach to analyse the data. The energy efficiency programme was not associated with improvements in physical and mental health using the SFv2 physical and mental health composite scales or reductions in self-reported respiratory and asthma symptoms.
The study showed that investing in energy efficiency in low-income communities does not lead to self-reported health improvements in the short term.
However, investments increased subjective wellbeing and were linked to a number of psychosocial intermediaries that are conducive to better health. It is likely that better living conditions contribute to improvements in health outcomes in the longer term. Better understanding of the impacts on recipients of energy efficiency schemes, could improve targeting of future fuel poverty policies. Peer Review reports. It is established that fuel poverty and living in cold homes can contribute to adverse physical and mental health.
Poor respiratory health, asthma, and common mental disorders have been associated with living in damp, cold housing [ 1 , 2 ]. Evidence suggests that energy efficiency interventions targeted at those at risk of fuel poverty and living in poor quality housing may lead to health improvements. In particular, affordable warmth interventions have the potential to improve general, respiratory and mental health outcomes, and more so when targeted at vulnerable groups [ 3 β 5 ].
