Kids in the cold: outcomes for New Zealand households with children using prepayment metering for electricity.

AIMS: Although fuel poverty is becoming increasingly researched, there is very limited information currently available on the experiences of and effects on children living in fuel poverty. This paper examines the consequences of using prepayment metering, a payment method typically used by low-income households, on households with children. METHODS: We present new results from two postal survey datasets, the Electricity Prepayment Meter Users' Survey undertaken in late 2010 and the follow-up survey undertaken in 2011, which explore the outcomes of prepayment metering and living on low-incomes for households with children. RESULTS: Among prepayment consumers, households with children experience greater levels of hardship. Households with children were statistically significantly more likely to cut back on grocery spending, and indicated greater levels of financial difficulty than childless households. Although there were no differences between the groups for most indicators of poor thermal comfort levels, households with children were statistically significantly more likely to report seeing their breath condensing indoors on at least one occasion during the winter. CONCLUSIONS: Policies to address fuel poverty should include protections for prepayment meter consumers, and households with children using this payment method who are especially vulnerable.

The effect of housing on the mental health of older people: the impact of lifetime housing history in Whitehall II.

BACKGROUND: This study describes differences in trajectories of self-reported mental health in an ageing cohort, according to their housing, while controlling for confounders. METHODS: The General Health Questionnaire was measured on six occasions as part of Whitehall II cohort study of office-based British civil servants (1985-2009); 10,308 men and women aged 35-55 at baseline. RESULTS: Home-ownership was the predominant tenure at baseline and increased over the life-course, but the social gradient remained. In the bivariate analysis, by phase nine, renters had higher (poorer mental health) GHQ scores (55.48) than owner occupiers (51.98). Those who reported difficulty paying bills or problems with housing had higher GHQ scores at baseline (financial difficulties 57.70 vs 54.34; house problems 58.06 vs 53.99) and this relative difference increased by phase nine (financial difficulties 59.64 vs 51.67; house problems 56.68 vs 51.22). In multivariate models, the relative differences in GHQ scores by tenure increased with age, but were no longer significant after adjusting for confounders. Whereas GHQ scores for those with housing problems and financial difficulties were still significantly higher as participants grew older. CONCLUSION: The social gradient in the effect of home ownership on mental health, which is evident at baseline, diminishes as people get older, whereas housing quality and financial problems become relatively more important in explaining older people's health. Inequalities in housing quality and ability to deal with household financial problems will become increasingly important mental health issues as the population ages.

Excess winter morbidity and mortality: do housing and socio-economic status have an effect?

OBJECTIVE: To review the published research evidence on the links between excess winter mortality (EWM) or excess winter hospitalization (EWH) and housing quality or socioeconomic status (SES). DESIGN: Systematic review. CRITERIA: Linked data on EWM or EWH and potential associations with housing quality or SES. RESULTS: No consistent relations between SES and EWM or EWH. The results for housing quality are also inconsistent, with some studies showing a weak protective effect of home heating. CONCLUSION: Studies to date do not provide good evidence that housing quality or SES factors affect EWM and EWH. More research is needed, particularly studies using individual level housing and SES data. Controlled trials of interventions would be desirable.