Warm homes for health briefing

This briefing by the University of Bangor reports on a research project undertaken with Gentoo in Sunderland to understand the impact that warmth-related housing improvements have on the health, well-being and quality of life of families living in social housing.

In addition, it sought to find out the costs and outcomes associated with new warmth-related housing improvements, compared to existing, unmodified social housing.

Of note, it found that after installation of housing improvements:

• across the cohort the number of GP visits in six months reduced by 10%
• hospital visits reduced by 67%
• accident and emergency department attendance reduced by 45%
• inpatient stays reduced by 4%
• More than £50,000 worth of NHS cost savings were observed due to reduced health service use

The researchers estimate, 'if the 4.8million 'unhealthy' UK homes were to receive similar housing improvements the NHS could potentially save £1billion a year in health service use costs.'