1 Delivering Public Health Messages for Tenancy Sustainment Module 4 : Impact of Poor Housing Conditions on Health

2 Course Objectives Identifying hazards and risks around the home Impact of hazards on people’s health Who is likely to be most affected Support agencies/resources available to help Action Planning – what difference can you make?

3 Learner/Trainer Agreement Agreement on confidentiality Respect for each other: one voice at a time Feedback for the Pilot Mobiles off!

4 Session One Health Awareness

5 Health Awareness: Exercise 1 In pairs: when visiting or speaking to residents - What health issues do you come across every day? Write these down Feed back to group 10 minutes

6 Links between Housing & Health

7 Session Two Housing Conditions: Impact on Health K

8 Carbon Monoxide: Key Facts Silent Killer: Poisonous Gas No smell, No taste, No colour Common household causes: poorly fitted/maintained appliances – central heating boilers, heaters, cookers

9 Carbon Monoxide: health impacts Most at risk: babies/young, pregnant women, chronic heart disease, respiratory problems

10 Carbon Monoxide: Signs Sooty marks on walls around boilers/stoves/gas fires Smoke building up in rooms due to faulty flue Yellow flames from gas appliances (not blue) Advice for residents: Seek help immediately – turn off appliances/open all windows. Call HSE

11 Damp and Mould: Causes Poor ventilation of household appliances Humidity levels >70% Poor Heating Result of water leaks – long term build up of excess water

12 Damp and Mould: Health Impacts Increases fungal growth/dust mites Eye, nose and throat irritation. Breathing difficulties. Worsening of asthma symptoms, Severe lung infection especially for people with a lowered immunity i.e. people taking cancer treatment, people with AIDS or transplant recipients – young or elderly

13 Damp and Mould: Prevention Appropriate ventilation in kitchens/bathrooms: extractor fans etc Externally ventilate all appliances – clothes dryers etc Damp proof courses External fabric kept in good repair Properly installed baths/sinks/toilets/drainage Frost protection from pipes and tanks

14 Excess Cold: Impacts on health Healthy indoor temperature 21° C <16°C serious health risks for elderly <10°C great risk of hypothermia (elderly) 50% winter deaths – cardiovascular (heart attacks/stroke) 30% winter deaths – respiratory (flu, bronchitis, pneumonia)

15 Excess Cold – main causes Sleeping in cold rooms Dwellings with poor insulation/low energy efficiency ratings Properties built before 1850 – greatest risk Absence of central heating Excessive damp – reduces thermal insulation Fuel poverty: currently 2.46 million households

16 Excess Cold – Preventative Measures Well insulated homes (loft/tanks) Central heating – well maintained Low level ventilation/airbricks Rapid ventilation in bathrooms/kitchen Properly fitted butt jointed floor boarding/doors/windows

17 Excess Heat: Impacts on health Mortality increases in temperatures >25°C Strain on heart conditions Increase in strokes General reduction in health and wellbeing

18 Excess Heat – main causes/prevention Causes Lack of good ventilation Large areas of south facing glazing Faulty heating controls Prevention Natural ventilation or air conditioning Shutters or blinds Controllable heating systems

19 Accidents at Home: Key Facts More accidents at home than anywhere else Most common accidents: falls Stairs: 25% of all home falls More accidents happen in the lounge/living room 5000 deaths p.a. Cost of home accidents: £45 billion p.a.

20 Accidents at Home: Risk Factors Age Illness & Disability Drinking Smoking Property layout & risks

21 Trip Hazards

22 Exercise 2: “In The Know” In your groups identify the hazards in one of the rooms provided: What health problems might there be for each household? What preventative advice could you give? What action might you take? K

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26 Exercise 3: Health & Housing Quiz K In your groups answer the questions as best you can Prize for the group with highest score !

27 What’s my role? Constructive relationships “Throw a lifebelt” Pick up on indicators Identify potential problems Suggest options Motivate and signpost Feedback to employer on customer needs Be clear about boundaries

28 Action Planning 3 things which have had most impact from this session? 3 actions to take back to your workplace? 3 things to help you put learning from this module into practice?

29 Contact Sitra Sitra, 3rd Floor, 55 Bondway, London SW8 1SJ Tel: Sitra CEO’s blog: