What could be the cost to health of the energy crisis?
With more people than ever finding it difficult to heat their homes to a comfortable level, and some facing the starkest of choices between heating or eating. In North Yorkshire, there are already over 40,000 households in fuel poverty (14.6%).
Some of the knock-on impacts will be cold homes, damp, worries about bills, and energy debts, all of which are known to exacerbate existing health conditions and cause new problems. For example:
- Children are twice as likely to have respiratory problems if they are living in poorly heated homes
- Low temperatures cause slower weight gain in babies and infants, higher hospital admission rates and an increase in asthmatic symptoms.
- Being cold increases the risk of trips and falls, exacerbates symptoms of conditions such as arthritis and asthma, and increases the risk of heart problems, strokes and respiratory diseases.
- Cold homes, high bills and associated financial stress negatively impact mental well-being, with an increased risk of anxiety, stress, depression and social isolation.
- 28% of young people who lack affordable warmth risk developing multiple mental health symptoms compared to only 4% who live in warm homes.
Finally, there are indirect health risks from fuel poverty and stretched household budgets. For example, not getting appliances serviced or chimneys swept, using a hob or cooker for warmth, or blocking vents could all increase the exposure risk to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Advice available locally:
If you are worried about the rising prices and keeping warm, there are local organisations and support schemes to help. You could:
- Access one-to-one advice around managing and reducing energy bills through Warm and Well North Yorkshire
- Check your eligibility for a grant for insulation or a heating upgrade through North Yorkshire Council.
- Check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to – £15billion of benefits go unclaimed annually. Organisations like North Yorkshire Citizens Advice & Law Centre can help with this.
- Check your eligibility for a reduced social tariff on your water bill or phone/broadband.
- Sign-up to the Priority Services Register with Yorkshire Water if there is a child under 5, pensioner or someone with a health condition or disability in the household. This will keep you safe if there is a powercut or the gas supply is interrupted.
For more information on these schemes, or on the free fuel poverty and energy awareness training to health and social care professionals
Email kate@yorkshireenergydoctor.org.uk
Phone 01757 249 100
Free training for health and social care practitioners
Heating for health
Continued professional development certified training to equip you at identifying and helping households whose homes may be too cold for their health and well-being.
If you have any questions, please email kate@yorkshireenergydoctor.org.uk or phone/text 07738 818 391
