Energy poverty, its intensity and health in vulnerable populations in a Southern European city

Carrere Balcells, Juli, 1988-; Peralta Chiriboga, Alejandro Andrés, 1985-; Oliveras Puig, Laura, 1987-; López, María José; Marí Dell'Olmo, Marc, 1978-; Benach, Joan; Novoa Pardo, Ana María, 1979-

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2020.07.007

Energy poverty, its intensity and health in vulnerable populations in a Southern European city

License

Citation

Carrere J, Peralta A, Oliveras L, López MJ, Dell’Olmo MM, Benach J, Novoa AM. Energy poverty, its intensity and health in vulnerable populations in a Southern European city. Gac Sanit. 2021;35(5):438-44. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2020.07.007

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare the health status between vulnerable population participating in a program to tackle energy poverty (Energía, la justa) and the non-energy poor Barcelona (Spain) population and to analyse among participants the effect of energy poverty intensity on health. Method: Cross-sectional study based on data from program participants obtained before the intervention. Participants (1799 women and 671 men) were compared to non-energy poor population of Barcelona (1393 women and 1215 men) sampled from the Barcelona Public Health Survey (2016). Standardized prevalence and prevalence ratios of self-perceived poor health, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and depression and/or anxiety were estimated, and among participants the association between health status and energy poverty intensity was estimated with multivariate models. Results: The probability of poor self-perceived physical and mental health ranged from 2.2 to 5.3 times greater in the program participants than non-energy poor Barcelona population. Among program participants, those most affected were found to be the most likely to report poor health outcomes, regardless of other sociodemographic factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of poor physical and mental health was considerably higher among women and men participating in the programme compared to the non-energy poor population and was even worse among those who were more severely affected. Public policies that tackle energy poverty and its consequences are urgently needed in Spain.