The Government’s Healthy Home initiative has had a significant impact on the lives of affected families, according to a new report released by the Ministry of Health.
Hospital visits were cut by 18% per person for families in the programme and school absences due to illnesses were also down by 5% – or more than 5000 days a year – across all children involved in the initiative.
Senior author of the report Nevil Pierse, from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, analysed the impact on families’ health over five years after they received support for mould and dampness in their homes compared to the previous five years.
There were an estimated 14,000 fewer doctor visits in each year the families were assisted by the programme.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti said the report provides clear evidence of the health and social benefits of warm, dry homes.
“This evaluation shows the Healthy Homes Initiative has provided over 147,000 interventions,” said Reti.
With fewer illnesses in the home adults were able to earn more, with their income increasing in the 12 months after they received support and a corresponding decrease in benefit income.
Pierse said the initiative has helped more than 200,000 people since it was set up in 2013.
“It has a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of the whānau living in poor quality housing,” he said. “Early intervention keeps children out of hospitals and in school.”
Healthcare savings
A Ministry of Health report analysed the impact on families’ health over five years after receiving support. (Source: 1News)
Families were provided with portable heaters, beds and bedding, mould cleaning kits, draught proofing and floor covering through the programme, and could be assisted to have insulation and heat pumps installed.
Pierse estimated the initiative saved the healthcare system about $300 million in the first five years after intervention, providing a five-year return investment of 507%.
“In addition to these impressive returns from improvements in health outcomes, there are social co-benefits, including more days at school for kids and higher employment earnings for those of working age.”
The analysis showed the impact on whānau could continue for at least another five years after first receiving support and provides an example of social investment working well, said Pierse.
“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,” said Reti.
The Healthy Home Initiative began as part of the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme, now being expanded to operate nationwide. It is funded by Health NZ.