Warm Homes for Elder New Zealanders (WHEZ)

Warm Homes for Elder New Zealanders (WHEZ)

Background Although there has been considerable recent work on the prevention, management and causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the contribution of housing has not been well researched. This is despite the socio-economic patterning of COPD (Maori women have the highest rate of COPD that has been recorded for any group of women), and the relationship between socio-economic deprivation and housing conditions.

It is likely that improved heating would reduce exacerbations of COPD as:

• COPD patients with the most advanced disease tend to be older people who often live on a fixed income and may be unable to afford adequate heating
• There is a high excess of winter hospitalisations in COPD patients indicating COPD exacerbations may be triggered by cold conditions.
• About one third of exacerbations of COPD are triggered by respiratory infections.
• The Housing, Insulation and Health Study demonstrated a reduction in self-reported respiratory disease after houses were insulated. Therefore improving the heating in households with a COPD patient may reduce respiratory infections and this in turn would reduce the number and severity of exacerbations.

The percentage of people over 65 in New Zealand will increase from 12% to 22% over the next 25 years. Therefore it will become increasingly important to find cost-effective ways of reducing the morbidity of the older age group. As COPD is a significant cause of morbidity amongst older people, this study investigates a potentially cost effective intervention to reduce both the likelihood of expensive hospital stays and improve the quality of life for older people.

Aim To evaluate whether fuel subsidies reduce exacerbations of COPD among people aged over 55, and therefore whether providing such subsidies is a cost-beneficial policy initiative.

Potential Benefits The potential benefits of the study include reducing the burden of disease. The patients and their caregivers may experience improved quality of life. Hospitals may experience fewer patients requiring treatment during the winter. A cost-benefit analysis will quantify the benefits.