Results may indicate supporting evidence of a relationship between energy inefficient housing and winter respiratory disease among older people, with public health implications for increasing health-driven energy efficiency housing interventions.
Britain is renowned for low indoor winter temperatures and a high rate of excess winter deaths and a causal association has been drawn between the two. A lack of priority given to energy efficiency here is often justified in terms of the mild climate. However, it can be shown that British climatic features may be related to poor health as long as poor standards of construction and insulation prevail. Legislation should therefore be implemented to improve standards both for new housing and refurbishment of much existing housing stock, not only for reasons of energy conservation but also for community health.
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