The Impact of Financial Crises on Mental Health

Chakravorty, Triya

doi:10.38192/1.7.3.5

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The main drivers of fuel poverty are energy prices, energy efficiency, low household income and how energy is used in the home (Scottish Government 2016). The consequences of fuel poverty and low incomes identified prior to the current cost of living crisis, for example living in a cold damp home, have a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing (Chakravorty 2022, Volkos & Symvoulakis 2021, Thomson et al 2022, Roberts et al 2022. It is envisaged that the number of excess winter deaths will increase as fuel poverty rates increase (Roberts et al 2022).…”

Section: Background and Purpose Of This Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A rapid review of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions that make homes warmer and cheaper to heat for households in fuel poverty in rural and remote areas

Edwards

Csontos

Gillen

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The cost-of-living across the UK has been on the increase since the start of 2021. Living in a rural community is often associated with additional costs compared to those in urban areas. For example, people living in rural areas are not always connected to the gas grid, often using oil and liquid petroleum gas for heating that are more expensive and not subjected to energy price caps. Moreover, housing in rural areas is generally older, not as well insulated and less energy efficient than houses in urban locations, leading to increased risk of fuel poverty. Home energy advice, energy efficiency measures, and financial support all have the potential to mitigate fuel poverty. The aim of this rapid evidence review was to determine the effectiveness of interventions that make homes warmer and cheaper to heat for households in fuel poverty in rural and remote areas. Fourteen studies and eight sources of grey literature were included in the review. The included studies and grey literature were published between 2007 and 2022. There was some evidence of effectiveness for interventions such as energy efficiency home improvements / retrofitting, home improvements (including replacing lightbulbs and electric heaters, external insulation, heating systems, loft insulation installing central heating), Welsh Government Arbed (home improvement and energy efficiency measures) and Nest (home improvements and advice) interventions, provision of energy and home energy advice, and referral for support and/or insulation measures or home improvements. Interventions such as social energy subsidies might not be effective in reducing fuel poverty, and energy efficient social housing was a more efficient method of alleviating fuel poverty. However, the certainty of the evidence is very low, primarily due to the study design and poor quality of the included studies. Policy makers and funding bodies need to make further investments into research focusing on measures to alleviate fuel poverty, with particular focus on economic analysis. There is a need for high quality, well-developed randomised controlled trials to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures and advice. Future research should investigate which interventions are the most effective in what types of housing in rural areas to help the targeting of interventions better.

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Section: Background and Purpose Of This Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%