Work

Health implications of housing retrofits: Evidence from a population-wide weatherization program

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study provides the first population-representative quasi-experimental estimates on the impact of housing upgrades on occupant health. We analyze the exceptional period of renovations in East Germany following the German reunification during the 1990s. Triggered by one of the largest governmental loan programs in history, 3.6 million dwellings were renovated, focussing on upgrades to the building insulation, windows and heating systems. Using rich survey data based on the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) as well as administrative records of hospital admissions in Germany, we consistently show that housing weatherization upgrades sustainably reduce the demand for health care among the elderly sample of the population.

Source: Journal of Health Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2024.102936

Authors: Steffen Künn, Juan Palacios

Institutions: Maastricht University, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environment Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,140