The Psychology of Fuel Poverty Jacqui Frazer Northern Investing for Health Partnership Northern Ireland

Excess winter deaths Highest risk of cold-related deaths WHO European Study Sites Barnett et al., 2007

How health impacts come about Cold indoors Cold outdoors Tackle fuel poverty Make sure people turn the heat up Wrap up warm Respect the cold

For every death from cold : 8 non-fatal hospital admissions (Department of Health, 2008) and 100+ visits to Health Centres and GP’s Health impacts are 2-fold Death Illness

Impacts of tackling fuel poverty on mental health Impacts on wellbeing and quality of life Positive benefits from 7of 8 major studies

Chief Medical Officer’s most recent Annual Report for England “Persistent cold, together with the financial worry of being able (or unable) to afford adequate heating, can cause depression. People in fuel poverty are 2.5 times more likely to report high or moderate stress than those able to afford their heating”

Children Respiratory illness Allergies Significantly 1yr follow-up 20% reduction in days off school Green, 2008; Howden Chapman, 2007; Foot, 2009

Infants Better weight gain Fewer infants underweight for age Cook et al., 2009 Winter Fuel Payments given to USA newborns Better health 30% fewer emergency hospital admissions

Teenagers Cold damp homes = More exposure to bullying More anxiety about mugging Less happy at home More risk of absconding from home Barnes et al., 2008

Effects on the young Life-span effects Multiplier effects beyond physical health and into - mental wellbeing - quality of life

4 impact assessment studies City of Dublin 2001 New Zealand 2006 New Zealand 2009 Northern Ireland p is returned in Health Impacts 18p is returned in Energy Bill savings For every £1 invested in a fuel poverty programme

Fuel poverty and human health: a review of recent evidence Liddell, C., Morris, C. Energy Policy (2010) doi: /j.enpol

Northern Investing for Health Partnership Northern Health & Social Services Trust Population: 426,965 Households: 158,520 (Source: NI Census, 2001)

Households in fuel poverty: 44% (Source: NI House Condition Survey, 2009)

“Warmth has given me the freedom to occupy the whole of my home”. When I had the coal fire, I used my inhaler three times a day. I’ve hardly used it since the gas heating went in. “We won’t have to worry about the winter any more”. When homes are made warmer

Impacts of Tackling Fuel Poverty ALL kinds of people All kinds of health Physical health AND mental wellbeing