CH-24-C084 - Interaction of Social-Economic Disadvantage, Energy Burden, Built Environment, and Mental Health: A Study of Vulnerable Groups in the United Kingdom

Energy burden and insecurity are exacerbated by the compounding of multiple forms of social-economic disadvantage, especially during periods when extreme weather events occur frequently and the transition to clean energy. Residents often find themselves having to make a trade-off between prioritizing their living conditions or meeting their financial obligations. Furthermore, the absence of a comfortable built environment has a profound impact on individuals' health. There were some previous studies that demonstrated the disparities in energy insecurity, housing quality, and psychological stress among different demographics such as low-income households, genders, and races; however, there was still a lack of profound analysis regarding the correlation. This study investigated the effects of energy burden on the built environment and mental health in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Based on 2588 online respondents, we found that low-income households, women, renters, and people of color have higher energy burdens than their counterparts. We further analyzed mental health and the perception of built environment within these vulnerable groups with high energy burdens. Unique to this study, we conducted a detailed investigation of specific aspects of the built environment to elucidate the primary concerns faced by vulnerable groups. Notably, we found that low-income households are particularly affected by critical issues such as thermal discomfort, poor air quality, and inadequate ventilation. Moreover, these vulnerable groups also suffered more mental health issues than their counterparts. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges experienced by vulnerable populations in terms of their living and health conditions. We also provided valuable insights and recommendations for future research and policy to address these issues accurately and effectively.