The impact of fuel poverty upon self-reported health status among the low-income population in Europe

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between fuel poverty and poor health among the population in the two lower income quintiles in Europe using the 2012 EU-SILC dataset. Results confirm that fuel poverty is a key determinant of health among the low-income population: the probability of being fuel poor is substantially higher among the low-income population; fuel poverty among the low-income population is a prevalent problem across European countries, particularly in southern and transition countries, and among renters; the low-income population in fuel poverty is more likely to report poor health than the whole low-income population; and the low-income population in severe fuel poverty has a higher likelihood of reporting poor health than the whole fuel poor low-income population. In addition, variations between countries in prevalence ratios of poor health by fuel poverty indicator and housing tenure suggest that there are different types of fuel poverty in terms of health-related outcomes.

Keywords:

• Fuel poverty
• energy poverty
• self-reported health
• health inequalities
• low-income population

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the European Commission [grant number 278173, SOPHIE project, 7th Framework Programme].

Notes on contributors

Jordi Bosch

Jordi Bosch, PhD in Architecture, B.A. degree in Management and Public Administration, and B.A. degree in Political Science. Expert on housing systems & policy, residential exclusion, and urban planning.

Laia Palència

Laia Palència, PhD in Biomedicine, Master in Public Health, public health technician at the Health Information Systems Unit of the Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona.

Davide Malmusi

Davide Malmusi, PhD in Biomedicine, Bachelor of Medicine, specialist in preventive medicine and public health. Currently Director of Health Services at Barcelona City Council.

Marc Marí-Dell'Olmo

Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo, Master in Public Health, Master in Statistics and Operative Research, PhD in Biomedicine, public health technician at the Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona.

Carme Borrell

Carme Borrell, Bachelor of Medicine, Doctor of Public Health, specialist in preventive medicine, public health and family and community medicine. Currently Manager of the Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona.