Exploring the Relationship Between Energy Poverty and Health: A Pilot Study in Valencia

Background: Energy poverty has emerged as a major societal challenge in Europe. Objectives: This study provides evidence on how different dimensions of energy poverty affect specific health outcomes, informing both theoretical understanding and intervention development to address this critical public health issue. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the Valencia pilot of the WELLBASED project, examining associations between energy poverty dimensions and health outcomes among 322 vulnerable participants in Valencia, Spain (69.6% women, mean age 48.8 years). Data were collected through validated instruments, including EQ-5D-5L, DASS-21, and SF-12, alongside standardised energy poverty indicators developed by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH). Results: Energy poverty prevalence was notably high, with 69.9% of participants unable to maintain adequate warmth during winter and 72.4% experiencing cooling difficulties during summer. Statistical analyses revealed significant associations between energy poverty indicators and health outcomes. For example, mental health impacts were particularly pronounced, with thermal inadequacy associated with depression, anxiety, and stress (effect sizes eta2 = 0.042-0.126). Physical health showed condition-specific patterns: respiratory conditions linked to heating inadequacy, cardio-vascular conditions to cooling inadequacy, and musculoskeletal conditions to utility bill arrears. Participants with arrears on energy bills reported significantly higher chronic disease burden compared to those without arrears (3.08 vs. 2.40, p = 0.010). Conclusions: These findings suggest that addressing energy poverty is essential for health equity strategies. Urban contexts with Mediterranean climate patterns present unique challenges, re-quiring year-round interventions that address both winter heating and summer cooling, moving beyond the traditional cold-weather focus.