Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill and Fuel Poverty Strategy: health impact assessment

7. Evidence of the impacts on health and wellbeing of living in a cold home

Cold and damp housing has been associated with poor physical health, such as asthma, and poor mental health and wellbeing.

http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/fair-society-healthy-lives-the-marmot-review/fair-society-healthy-lives-full-report-pdf.pdf

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/chma/marketcontextmaterials/housingandhealth

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/142077/e95004.pdf

( Liddell, 2012; McCartney et al, 2013, Peters, 2014; ScotPHN 2016).

Evidence has linked damp and mouldy homes with direct adverse effects on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of both adults and children.

Platt S et al (1989) Damp housing, mould growth and symptomatic health state. British Medical Journal, 298:

pp.1673–8.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20653316_Damp_housing_mould_growth_and_symptomatic_health_state

The focus on Getting It Right for Every Child ( GIRFEC) is providing every child with the best start in life: ready to succeed. The Good Places Better Health process identified "appropriately ventilated, well insulated and affordably heated" homes as important for childhood health and wellbeing outcomes.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Healthy-Living/Good-Places-Better-Health/Findings-Recommendations/HCCR

Addressing the Educational Attainment Gap highlighted that children's education can be marred by living in a cold, damp house when health problems keep them off school, or a cold home means there is no warm, separate room to do their homework.

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/Raisingeducationalattainment

The cold also reduces lung function which is a risk factor in triggering asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD), such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Geddes I et al (2011) The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty. London: Friends of the Earth and The Marmot Review Team.

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/cold_homes_health.pdf

Individuals in cold homes may also be more at risk to accidental injury in the home as a result of reduced strength and dexterity and an increased risk of falls or injury. An indirect impact may include social isolation.

Geddes I et al (2011) The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty. London: Friends of the Earth and The Marmot Review Team.

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/cold_homes_health.pdf