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For many people around the world, turning on the heating during winter is expensive. For some, it's just too expensive, and the result is that they end up struggling through the winter in freezing-cold homes that should certainly be heated.
It is often argued that there are simple solutions to this problem, such as wearing more layers. In reality, however, this is not sufficient. Indeed, keeping a cold home can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
In various countries around the world, people struggle to heat their homes in the winter. Sometimes, they don’t turn the heating on at all.
In 2023, for example, 42,000 people in Europe did not manage to keep their homes adequately warm.
Some people argue that living in a cold house is uncomfortable at worst and that you should tough it out by simply wearing more layers.
Studies have shown, however, that living in a home that is not adequately heated can have serious repercussions for both short- and long-term health.
One direct consequence of low temperatures in the home is that it causes our blood vessels to narrow slightly. This in turn raises blood pressure and inhibits circulation.
Our blood also becomes slightly thicker, in part due to the increased production of a protein called fibrinogen and other molecules that cause clotting.
Although these changes to our blood may seem insignificant, in fact, the ultimate consequence could be a stroke or heart attack.
There are also reports of worsened symptoms in people who live with chronic pain from diseases such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
In one 2016 case study, for example, a woman with the so-called ‘bendy body’ condition described how the pain in her arms and nose was considerably worse in cold weather.
More recently, a woman living with Ehlers-Danlos in the UK described how, in the winter, it was harder to get out of bed due to the pain in her joints.
Then there are the less obvious health risks that are associated with keeping low temperatures in the home.
For example, many people opt to wear multiple layers, or even a hat, scarf, and gloves instead of turning on their heating.
What they might not think about, however, is how this may impact their mobility and put them at risk of having an accident or a fall.
This risk is generally higher for older people, who are also at greater risk of suffering serious consequences if they do get into an accident.
In addition to the direct consequences of cold temperatures in the home, there are health issues that can be caused by related environmental factors.
In particular, dampness and mold are much more common in poorly heated houses, and both of these can have a serious impact on your health.
For example, the spores that are released by mold fungi can irritate the lungs and make conditions like asthma worse.
Indeed, according to one nine-year study, living in a damp and moldy house for a long period significantly increases the chance of a decline in lung function.
The study measured participants’ lung function by looking at variables such as how much air they could expel during one second of breathing out.
In the case of children living in damp and moldy homes, studies have shown that this can increase the likelihood of respiratory infection.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate wake, this matter was of particular concern to public health experts.
Indeed, they were worried about children’s immunity, which they considered may already be impaired as the result of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Towards the end of 2022, the BBC published an article describing the measures doctors were taking to protect newborn babies against the respiratory risk posed by mold and dampness.
In the event that a baby was born prematurely and required mechanical ventilation, doctors would send them home with oxygen supplies once they were ready to leave the hospital.
Experts are quick to warn that mold and dampness already pose a risk to the well-being of a healthy adult, and that the risk is multiplied in the case of a tiny baby.
There are also studies that show that living in a cold home can have a significant detrimental impact on a person’s mental health.
Indeed, it is easy to imagine that constantly worrying about whether or not you will be able to stay warm can cause anxiety.
Feelings of shame or embarrassment about not being able to pay energy bills may also cause people to withdraw, increasing feelings of sadness and loneliness.
When it comes to solving this problem, there are lots of charities out there doing great work to support people who are unable to keep themselves warm during the winter.
If we are to solve this problem for good, however, governments must learn to treat energy poverty as a public health issue and take appropriate action.
Sources: (BBC)
See also: Solastalgia: when environmental change impacts mental health
How keeping a cold home can harm your health
The health consequences of energy poverty
HEALTH Energy
For many people around the world, turning on the heating during winter is expensive. For some, it's just too expensive, and the result is that they end up struggling through the winter in freezing-cold homes that should certainly be heated.
It is often argued that there are simple solutions to this problem, such as wearing more layers. In reality, however, this is not sufficient. Indeed, keeping a cold home can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.