Health co-benefits of energy-efficient and climate-friendly housing: Global evidence review and experiences from the field

There is a growing body of evidence identifying how investments in low-energy, "naturally ventilated" homes can yield significant health benefits. In developed countries, the immediate health benefits arising from reduced risks of certain non-communicable respiratory diseases, asthma and allergies, may far outweigh those of carbon gains in today's economic terms. This illustrates how short-term health objectives can help drive and justify more environmentally sustainable policies long term.

"Housing and health" is a longstanding, traditional public health concern. However, health goals have not been systematically articulated and integrated in the context of policies for more energy-efficient, climate-friendly housing. Health-oriented research often fails to address issues in the terms that are typically used by architects, engineers, housing providers and financial institutions, while mitigation-oriented research often fails to address specific health issues. This interdisciplinary study involving experts in health, engineering and design aspects of housing helps bridge that critical gap, and allows health policymakers to take a more proactive role in the design of housing policies. A second stage in this undertaking is the development of new WHO "housing and health guidelines".