Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
Living in cold homes in winter is associated with poorer physical and mental health, particularly among older people and people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Considering this, minimum indoor temperature recommendations are widely seen as beneficial for population health and well-being.
However, relatively little is known about housing warmth, and population health and well-being in Wales. To address this knowledge gap Public Health Wales commissioned M·E·L Research to undertake a large scale study to explore and quantify the indoor temperatures being achieved by households, how people heat their homes and stay warm in winter, and the impacts of housing warmth on people’s comfort and the psychological and social outcomes known to influence the wider determinants of health, such as emotional well-being.
In the context of the growing cost of living crisis this was a project, M·E·L Research were keen to support.
2,000 interviews were delivered proportionally by Welsh Health Board. 500 of the 2,000 target were a boost among older residents aged 65+ for whom housing warmth and health issues may be more critical. Telephone interviews using both Random Digit Dial and Lifestyle contacts were undertaken with Welsh language interviewing supported in line with Welsh language standards.
Within each health board we set quotas by age, gender, deprivation and urban/rural. To ensure the age quotas were met, in the final stages of the process we boosted participation of 18-34s by using two of our online panel partners. This mixed mode solution was agreed by the project’s ethics board from the outset.
Weighted datasets and associated technical summaries are being analysed by Public Health Wales with published academic findings later to follow. These are expected to influence subsequent policy making in Welsh Government.
