Household energy efficiency and health: Area-level analysis of hospital admissions in England

Housing conditions have been an enduring focus for public health activity throughout the modern public health era. However, the nature of the housing and health challenge has changed in response to an evolution in the understanding of the diverse factors influencing public health. Today, the traditional public health emphasis on the type and quality of housing merges with other wider determinants of health. These include the neighbourhood, community, and “place” where a house is located, but also the policies which make access to a healthy house possible and affordable for everyone. Encouragingly, these approaches to policy and action on housing have the potential to contribute to the “triple win” of health and well-being, equity, and environmental sustainability. However, more effective housing policies (and in public health in general) that adopt more systemic approaches to addressing the complex interactions between health, housing, and wider environment are needed. This paper illustrates some of the key components of the housing and health challenge in developed countries, and presents a conceptual model to co-ordinate activities that can deliver the “triple win.” This is achieved by offering a perspective on how to navigate more effectively, inclusively and across sectors when identifying sustainable housing interventions.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Making the Case for “Whole System” Approaches: Integrating Public Health and Housing

Sharpe

Taylor

Fleming

et al. 2018

“…It is therefore important to involve experts to advise on how to maximise environmental benefits, and examine the project from a public health perspective, through, e.g., collaborative training programmes. Integrated design teams bringing together housing, public health, and environmental health professionals can ensure that health requirements are part of all green building standards, to provide a “whole system” solution to improving energy efficiency [ 40 , 41 ]. Teams with urban planners, transport and public health professionals can redesign our streets to make way for cycling, walking and playing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite limitations in time and data, the various cost–benefit analyses undertaken as part of INHERIT demonstrated high environmental and social returns of investment for green space initiatives [ 39 , 44 ]. Evaluation outcomes can also help determine where changes are required, as in the case of the cost–benefit analysis of energy efficient investments, which revealed the risks to health of sealing properties [ 40 ]. They can also help to understand the processes of implementation, and provide learning about what can be done better to build synergies across sectors and to enhance outcomes [ 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Encouraging and Enabling Lifestyles and Behaviours to Simultaneously Promote Environmental Sustainability, Health and Equity: Key Policy Messages from INHERIT

Godfrey

Romeo-Velilla

Bell³

et al. 2020

Human consumption and activity are damaging the global ecosystem and the resources on which we rely for health, well-being and survival. The COVID-19 crisis is yet another manifestation of the urgent need to transition to more sustainable societies, further exposing the weaknesses in health systems and the injustice in our societies. It also underlines that many of the factors leading to environmental degradation, ill health and social and health inequities are interlinked. The current situation provides an unprecedented opportunity to invest in initiatives that address these common factors and encourage people to live more healthily and sustainably. Such initiatives can generate the positive feedback loops needed to change the systems and structures that shape our lives. INHERIT (January 2016–December 2019), an ambitious, multisectoral and transnational research project that involved 18 organisations across Europe, funded by the European Commission, explored such solutions. It identified, defined and analysed promising inter-sectoral policies, practices and approaches to simultaneously promote environmental sustainability, protect and promote health and contribute to health equity (the INHERIT “triple-win”) and that can encourage and enable people to live, move and consume more healthfully and sustainably. It also explored the facilitators and barriers to working across sectors and in public private cooperation. The insights were brought together in guidelines setting out how policy makers can help instigate and support local “triple-win” initiatives that influence behaviours as an approach to contributing to the change that is so urgently needed to stem environmental degradation and the interlinked threats to health and wellbeing. This article sets out this guidance, providing timely insights on how to “build back better” in the post pandemic era.

“…Poor ventilation is associated with higher risk of infectious diseases [4]. Indoor air quality and heating have been raised as an important element in building a sustainable living environment [44]. More investigation is needed to seek practical solutions in balancing indoor warming and ventilation during cold days in different settings to reduce relevant health risks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal Cold Protection Behaviour and Its Associated Factors in 2016/17 Cold Days in Hong Kong: A Two-Year Cohort Telephone Survey Study

Lam

Huang

Liu

et al. 2020

Background: Despite larger health burdens attributed to cold than heat, few studies have examined personal cold protection behaviours (PCPB). This study examined PCPB during cold waves and identified the associated factors in a subtropical city for those without central heating system. Methods: A cohort telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong during a colder cold wave (2016) and a warmer cold wave (2017) among adults (≥15). Socio-demographic information, risk perception, self-reported adverse health effects and patterns of PCPB during cold waves were collected. Associated factors of PCPB in 2017 were identified using multiple logistic regression. Results: The cohort included 429 subjects. PCPB uptake rates were higher during the colder cold wave (p < 0.0005) except for ensuring indoor ventilation. Of the vulnerable groups, 63.7% had low self-perceived health risks. High risk perception, experience of adverse health effects during the 2016 cold wave, females and older groups were positive associated factors of PCPB in 2017 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PCPB changed with self-risk perception. However vulnerable groups commonly underestimated their own risk. Indoor ventilation may be a concern during cold days in settings that are less prepared for cold weather. Targeted awareness-raising promotion for vulnerable groups and practical strategies for ensuring indoor ventilation are needed.