CARDI funded an all-island study in December 2009, led by Professor Patrick Goodman, DIT, in conjunction with the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, which builds on existing knowledge on fuel poverty but with a particular focus on older people. It involved an analysis of existing data and research on fuel poverty, a survey with older people on fuel povertyissues in ROI and an examination of mortality patterns in NI and ROI. It also identifies the groups among the older population who are most at risk of fuel poverty and its implications for their health and well-being.

Fuel Poverty, Older People and Colder Weather: An All-Island Analysis

CARDI has prepared a briefing paper based on the findings of this project which is available at the following link: Understanding fuel poverty in the older population

Key Findings

• Cold temperatures are associated with increased mortality and the effects extend for 2-3 weeks after a cold snap. The older population is principally affected the most, with each 1°C decrease in temperature being associated with 2.6% increased total mortality (Goodman et al., 2004).

• Excess winter mortality is not normally recorded as being from hypothermia, but rather the cold weather increases the risk of deaths from existing cardiovascular disease, stroke and respiratory conditions (Goodman et al., 2011).

• The risk of fuel poverty is concentrated among older people living alone across the island of Ireland (Goodman, et al., 2011). 29% of all older people in ROI live alone and 32% of older people in NI (Central Statistics Office, 2007) (NISRA, 2002).

• Older people tend to live in houses which are not energy efficient, lack adequate insulation or lack central heating (Goodman et al., 2011).

• Older people are heavily reliant on benefits to keep above the poverty line: In NI, the relative income poverty rate for pensioners excluding state social transfers was 77%, compared to 88% in ROI (CARDI, 2010a).

• Older people in NI living in rural areas are more likely to lack central heating, have poor housing condition and experience fuel poverty, while there is little evidence of a rural – urban difference in fuel poverty in ROI (Goodman et al., 2011).

• Increasing fuel allowance will in itself not address the root of the problem which centres on energy inefficient homes, low incomes and rising fuel prices.

More information:

Fuel Poverty, Older People and Colder Weather: An All-Island Analysis is available at:  www.publichealth.ie and DIT website

Warmer Healthier Homes – A New Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland  is available at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/warmer-healthier-homes.pdf