23 Nov 2004

EMBARGO: 11AM Tuesday 23rd November 2004

Fuel poverty is a significant threat to public health with its links to heart disease, respiratory illness and mental health. People on low incomes are most likely to live in fuel poverty. The Fuel Poverty Strategy, which was launched today, needs to be adequately resourced to help reduce the devastating effects of health inequalities in our society, according to the Institute of Public Health in Ireland.

The Institute of Public Health recently completed research which shows that locally based projects are an effective way of improving the energy efficiency of homes. 

Ms Jorun Rugkåsa, lead researcher said:

“Evidence shows that locally based projects are an efficient and effective way of making homes warmer and healthier, and more such projects should be resourced.”

Jorun Rugkåsa continued:

“Some of those on lowest incomes still live in fuel poverty after having heating and insulation installed. For these people, energy efficiency measures alone are insufficient to remove this risk to their health.”

“Fundamental issues around low-income and the regulation of fuel prices, both with strong impacts on the levels of fuel poverty, are structural challenges that needs to be addressed centrally. It is important that commitments to tackle these are adequately resourced.”

The commitment in the Fuel Poverty Strategy supports that of the Investing for Health Strategy for Public Health, which identifies the alleviation of fuel poverty as one important way of tackling health inequalities.

The findings from the research conducted by the Institute of Public Health shows that local fuel poverty interventions can reduce fuel poverty and improve health:

• The energy efficiency of homes were significantly improved
• There was a statistically significant increase in levels of benefit uptake
• People report spending less on fuel after intervention
• There were significant reductions in the presence of condensation, mould and damp, which is where we have the strongest evidence of links to ill-health
• There was a significant reduction in number of illnesses (associated with fuel poverty) reported by those who received the heating conversion and insulation
• People report reductions in the use of health services after intervention

ENDS

Notes to editors:

(1) The research findings can be found in the report: ”Engaging Communities. An evaluation of a community development model for tackling rural fuel poverty”  which is available from the Institute of Public Health on the address below and on its website. 

(2) 203,000 households in Northern Ireland currently live in fuel poverty and many of them live in cold, damp houses. This increases their risk of social exclusion, ill health and poor well-being. Wider effects of fuel poverty include poorer educational achievements, worsening community health and increases in the use of acute health services. Fuel poverty is therefore an important social issue.

Fuel poverty is a result of poor energy efficiency of homes, low household income and high fuel prices, and all of these factors should be addressed in order to eliminate fuel poverty permanently.

(3) In a review of current evidence, the National Heart Forum has established that living in cold, damp houses is linked to a wide range of health issues including:

• respiratory illness,
• increased blood pressure and risk of stroke,
• worsening arthritis,
• increased accidents at home,
• social isolation,
• impaired mental health, impacts are obvious when ‘having to scrape mould off the walls of your house every day”
• adverse effects on children’s education
• adverse effects on nutrition
• (National Heart Forum, 2003. Fuel poverty and health toolkit: A guide for primary care organisations, and public health and primary care professionals. www.heartforum.org.uk )

(4) The Institute of Public Health in Ireland [Arlene to insert the usual background]
 
EMBARGO: 11 am Tuesday 23rd November 2004

For further information contact:

Arlene McKay
Information Officer
Institute of Public Health in Ireland
Tel: +44 28 90 648494/ 07734 903944/+353 1 478 6300
Email:arlene.mckay@publichealth.ie