Fuel poverty can be defined as ‘when a household cannot afford to adequately heat their home or meet basic energy requirements’ (Lee et al, 2022). I must admit my ignorance to the extent of fuel poverty that is experienced in the UK. While researching for this piece I was staggered to discover that this is not a phenomenon of 2022's inflationary pressures: it was estimated that one in five UK households containing dependent children experienced fuel poverty in 2020 (Lee et al, 2022). With the cost of energy this autumn over double what it was in 2020 (Heatable, 2022), alongside increased costs for almost everything we buy, we can expect this to rise as more and more people struggle to make ends meet.
Living in cold homes has serious health impacts. In 2019 it was estimated the NHS spends at least £2.5 billion per year on treating illnesses that are directly linked to cold, damp and dangerous homes (Lee et al, 2022) – I dread to think what that will rise to this winter. Living in a cold home is linked to increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, poor mental health and higher chances of unintentional injury. Babies, children, older people and those with pre-existing health conditions are at greatest risk. Cold homes are more prone to damp and mould: it is estimated that damp and mould may contribute to around 10–15% of new cases of childhood asthma across Europe (Lee et al, 2022).
Excess winter deaths are a phenomenon we see every year. It is thought that the increase in circulating respiratory viruses, combined with physiological effects that colder weather has on the body (eg cold affecting the circulation leading to more heart attacks and strokes) leads to this. It is estimated that 21.5% of excess winter deaths are attributable to cold homes (Institute of Health Equity and Public Health England, 2014).
Many people will be experiencing fuel poverty this winter and the extent of it can feel overwhelming. It is estimated that many households do not claim all the benefits they are entitled to, and practice nurses can signpost patients to services like Citizens Advice that may be able to help people to check. Another key role practice nurses can play is ensuring good uptake of flu and COVID-19 vaccines for eligible patients (Lee et al, 2022), to reduce their risk of becoming unwell this winter.
Of course, I don't forget that fuel poverty may also be affecting you. With years of below inflation pay rises for nurses, making ends meet is harder than ever at the moment. It feels almost unbelievable that in 2022 we are talking about health professionals being unable to adequately heat their home. If you'd like to share your story on how the cost of living is affecting you, please contact us at pn@markallengroup.com
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