Health Minister, Shane Reti says a five-year evaluation of Health New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Initiative has demonstrated the positive impact of warm, dry homes on the health and wellbeing of more than 200,000 people.
The initiative helps families living in cold, damp homes by providing education, beds and bedding, curtains, insulation and heating support.
Dr Reti says an evaluation by Otago University’s He Kāinga Oranga (the Housing and Health Research Programme) provides clear evidence of the health and social benefits of warm, dry homes.
“We know living in cold and damp conditions can lead to health issues. Families living in warm, dry homes are less likely to present to hospital with preventable illnesses and have fewer trips to the doctor,” he said.
“This evaluation shows the Healthy Homes Initiative has provided over 147,000 interventions, impacting over 200,000 people, who are now living in warmer, drier, healthier homes.
“This evaluation highlights that for those who received support, there has been an 18.6% decrease in hospitalisations and a 5% reduction in school absences. It has also had a positive impact on employment, with a reduction in the number of people on a benefit.”
Dr Reti says the Healthy Homes Initiative is a positive example of social investment, where a targeted initiative demonstrates positive results for health and social wellbeing for families.
“Aside from the health and wellbeing impacts, this five-year evaluation also shows that for every dollar spent there has been an estimated $5.07 in health savings over the following five years,” he said.
“This Government is committed to the Healthy Homes Initiative, because the positive health outcomes laid out in this report clearly show that it is working.”
