Household energy poverty and children’s health

This research investigates the link between household energy poverty and children’s health in Ireland. For an older Child Cohort in 2007/8, 5% of households were energy-poor, rising to 7% by 2016. In a younger Infant Cohort, households reporting energy poverty increased from 8.3% in 2008/9 to 12.7% in 2013. Energy poverty was associated with a greater likelihood of respiratory illness and wheezing in the Infant Cohort, and a lower likelihood of the child being rated as ‘very healthy’ by their primary caregiver.