Evaluation of the Victorian Healthy Homes Program: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Health Economics

Background:

• Vulnerable households often face challenges with thermal comfort and high energy costs.
• Home energy interventions aim to improve living conditions and reduce health risks.
• Evidence on the cost-effectiveness of such programs is crucial for policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Victorian Healthy Homes Program (VHHP).
• To assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of home upgrades for thermal comfort, energy reduction, and health benefits in vulnerable Victorian households.

Main Methods:

• A staggered, parallel-group, clustered randomized controlled trial involving 1000 households.
• Intervention group received home upgrades before winter; control group received them after.
• Primary outcome: difference in indoor average daily temperature; secondary outcomes: energy consumption, respiratory symptoms, quality of life, healthcare use, and school/work absences.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to generate evidence on the program's impact, with analysis focusing on temperature differences, energy use, and health outcomes.
• Economic evaluation will include cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses.

Conclusions:

• The VHHP evaluation will provide evidence on the multifaceted benefits of home energy upgrades for vulnerable populations.
• Findings will inform future interventions and policies aimed at improving housing conditions and public health.