26 Mar 2009

IPH presented evidence on the role of affordable energy in promoting health and social inclusion at a recent meeting of the Interdepartmental Group on Affordable Energy in Ireland.  In the presentation, IPH recommends that the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for home temperatures to form a component of the definition of fuel poverty. Information from a number of national and international studies was presented to demonstrate the direct and indirect health effects of fuel poverty. Cold stress and the health effects of damp and mould are outlined. A number of ‘policy asks’ concluded the presentation – these are issues IPH view as critically important in the fuel poverty area from a population health perspective.

Please access the full IPH presentation here