During winter, cold indoor temperatures can increase blood pressure, leading to hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). While insulation and heating can keep homes warm, they may be expensive to install and maintain. However, these costs may be offset by health benefits, such as lower medical bills and longer, healthier lives from insulating homes.
Identifying the most cost-effective insulation strategy can help keep homes warm, prevent diseases, and save lives. In this vein, a research team led by Assistant Professor Wataru Umishio from Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) investigated the cost-effectiveness of living in well-insulated warm homes to prevent CVDs by comparing houses in Japan with different levels of thermal insulation and indoor temperature. The multidisciplinary team included researchers from Science Tokyo, Institute for Built Environment and Carbon Neutral for SDGs, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, The University of Kitakyushu, and Nara Medical University School of Medicine.
Their study was published in BMJ Public Health on September 24, 2024. Explaining the motivation behind their study, Umishio says, "In Japan, a rapidly aging country, over 90% of homes had indoor temperatures below 18°C, which is the level recommended by the World Health Organization. Since older adults are more vulnerable to low temperatur.
