The Health Impacts of Fuel Poverty on Children

This report outlines the evidence base concerning fuel poverty and its impacts on the physical and mental health of the young. Impacts are discussed by age group, with the report outlining the extent to which health effects vary depending on age. Effects on infants are largely concerned with weight gain, nutritional status, and susceptibility to illness. For children effects are largely on respiratory health. By contrast, among teenagers effects are primarily on mental health, with significant associations between experience of fuel poverty and multiple mental health risk. Recommendations for policymakers are discussed, with a view to ensuring greater equality in the manner in which fuel poverty strategies are delived in the public domain.