The experience of potentially vulnerable people during cold weather: implications for policy and practice

Jones, Linda; Mays, Nicholas

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2015.12.008

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Variations in the distributions of the above health, demographic, socio-economic and built-environment characteristics are likely to explain most differences in cold risk observed between UK regions. The most recent UK evidence on regional variations in cold risk are provided by an evaluation of the Public Health England Cold Weather Plan, [ 47 , 48 ] as part of which epidemiologic assessment of retrospective data was conducted [ 29 ]. Adverse cold-related health impacts were observed in all regions, with the North East, North West and London experiencing the greatest relative increase in mortality.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The plan provides advice for individuals, communities and agencies on how to prepare for and respond to severe cold weather, and initiates acute actions by health and social care professionals and other community organisations to strengthen the protection and support of vulnerable individuals when cold weather is forecast. As well as a recent process evaluation of this plan, [ 29 , 47 , 48 ] and possible future changes to the alert system employed, [ 74 ] further qualitative information has led to updates to the plan which the authors describe as an example of pragmatic evidence-based policy making [ 75 ]. To date, however, there is little quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of such plans either from England or elsewhere in the world.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health effects of milder winters: a review of evidence from the United Kingdom

Hajat

2017

Environ Health

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Cold-related mortality and morbidity remains an important public health problem in the UK and elsewhere. Health burdens have often reported to be higher in the UK compared to other countries with colder climates, however such assessments are usually based on comparison of excess winter mortality indices, which are subject to biases. Daily time-series regression or case-crossover studies provide the best evidence of the acute effects of cold exposure. Such studies report a 6% increase in all-cause deaths in England & Wales for every 1 °C fall in daily mean temperature within the top 5% of the coldest days. In major Scottish cities, a 1 °C reduction in mean temperature below 11 °C was associated with an increase in mortality of 2.9%, 3.4%, 4.8% and 1.7% from all-causes, cardiovascular, respiratory, and non-cardio-respiratory causes respectively. In Northern Ireland, a 1 °C fall during winter months led to reductions of 4.5%, 3.9% and 11.2% for all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory deaths respectively among adults. Raised risks are also observed with morbidity outcomes. Hip fractures among the elderly are only weakly associated with snow and ice conditions in the UK, with the majority of cases occurring indoors. A person’s susceptibility to cold weather is affected by both individual- and contextual-level risk factors. Variations in the distributions of health, demographic, socio-economic and built-environment characteristics are likely to explain most differences in cold risk observed between UK regions. Although cold-related health impacts reduced throughout much of the previous century in UK populations, there is little evidence on the contribution that milder winters due to climate change may have made to reductions in more recent decades. Intervention measures designed to minimise cold exposure and reduce fuel poverty will likely play a key role in determining current and future health burdens associated with cold weather.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12940-017-0323-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health effects of milder winters: a review of evidence from the United Kingdom

Hajat

2017

Environ Health

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“…Living in cold and damp environments is associated with health risks such as cardiovascular disease, asthma and respiratory problems. In addition, social isolation and inequality are further promoted when these conditions are present in social housing, because occupants are very often unable to afford the cost of keeping dwellings adequately warm (Jones and Mays, 2016). Thermal comfort is one of the most immediate and direct aspects that influence occupants of the built environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Comfort and Satisfaction in the Context of Social Housing: Case Study in Bogotá, Colombia

Bernal¹,

Medina²,

Pinzón³

2019

JCDC

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Thermal comfort and satisfaction have been little studied in the context of social housing. Post-occupancy evaluations and research on occupant's satisfaction are particularly scarce. This article examines and characterises this problem through the detailed analysis of a case study in Bogotá, Colombia, which is representative of a large percentage of the current housing stock in the country and similar regions in Latin America. The construction of high-rise social housing in major cities like Bogotá has soared in recent years, due to population growth and displacement. However, there are serious concerns regarding its built quality. The methodology used in this study combines analysis through the perspectives of the static and the adaptive models and the interpretation of modes of adaptive behaviour. Data was collected during fieldwork via various means, including temperature and relative humidity measurements, observations and structured occupant surveys. Results give new insights regarding thermal comfort deficiencies and low levels of occupant's satisfaction in all apartments studied. Additional findings highlight the adequacy of the models used for the analysis and identify opportunities for improvement. This could be of interest to academics, policymakers, construction stakeholders and housing users.

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“…Before this study perception of risk has not emerged as an important thread in understanding people with dementia's approach to warmth and safety at home in winter. In qualitative studies with older people without dementia, it has been found that people have an incomplete understanding of the health effects and risk of living in a cold environment (Chard and Walker, 2016;Jones and Mays, 2016;O'Neil, Jinks and Squire, 2006), something that was seen in this study. However, older people without dementia have not been identified as having the same problems perceiving risks in day-to-day warmth and safety that emerged in this study.…”

Section: Not Seeing the Risksmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…The literature search was conducted in November 2015 and was updated in May 2017. The update to the literature review added three items to the literature review (Chard and Walker, 2016;Gray et al, 2015;Jones and Mays, 2016). They did not materially change the focus of the review and so were integrated into the existing literature review.…”

Section: Key (Home or House Or Alone Or Accommodation)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Staying safe at home in winter: case studies of people with dementia

Thomas¹

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This thesis presents the findings of a constructivist multiple case study design of six people with dementia's experience of trying to stay warm and safe at home during winter. People with dementia have been found to experience a higher rate of morbidity and mortality during the winter months (Liddell et al., 2016; ONS, 2015), though the reasons for these increased rates are unknown. This programme of research aimed to explore and understand the challenges that people with dementia have in keeping warm and safe in their own home during winter. This study was conducted in the winter and early spring of 2014/15 between October and April, in a post-industrial Northern city of England. Semi-structured interviews with a person with dementia and relevant family caregivers form the core of the data in each case. Data from interviews was supported by observations, and temperature and humidity readings, both inside and outside of the home. Consent of people with dementia was secured through a Process Consent method (Dewing, 2007 and 2008b), which aimed to maximise the capacity of a person with dementia to consent to participation. Through thematic and inter-case analysis an overarching thematic framework emerged of people 'Trying to stay safe in winter', though the progression of dementia and old age. Three themes describe this framework: 'Losing me', 'Hanging on', and 'Winter wellbeing'. Taken together these themes tell a narrative of people trying to stay safe in winter while trying to hang on to a sense of self, and control over their lives. This thesis argues for greater support for people with dementia who live in their own home, without the support of family members. Such support should be ongoing from the point of diagnosis and take a person centred approach.

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The experience of potentially vulnerable people during cold weather: implications for policy and practice

Cited by 8 publications

References 21 publications

Health effects of milder winters: a review of evidence from the United Kingdom

Health effects of milder winters: a review of evidence from the United Kingdom

Thermal Comfort and Satisfaction in the Context of Social Housing: Case Study in Bogotá, Colombia

Staying safe at home in winter: case studies of people with dementia

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