Cold indoor temperatures and their association with health and well-being: a systematic literature review

Hayley Janssen, Kat Ford, Ben Gascoyne, Rebecca Hill, Manon Roberts, Mark Bellis, Sumina Azam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Objective

The study aimed to identify, appraise and update evidence on the association between cold temperatures (i.e. Study design

This study was a systematic review.
Methods

Seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Coronavirus Research Database) were searched for studies published between 2014 and 2022, which explored the association between cold indoor temperatures and health and well-being outcomes. Studies were limited to those conducted in temperate and colder climates due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality during winter in those climatic zones. Studies were independently quality assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.
Results

Of 1209 studies, 20 were included for review. Study outcomes included cardiovascular (blood pressure, electrocardiogram abnormalities, blood platelet count), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms, respiratory viral infection), sleep, physical performance and general health. Seventeen studies found exposure to cold indoor temperatures was associated with negative effects on health outcomes studied. Older individuals and those with chronic health problems were found to be more vulnerable to negative health outcomes.
Conclusion

Evidence suggests that indoor temperatures
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-194
Number of pages10
JournalPublic Health
Volume224
Early online date10 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • home
  • Dwelling
  • Minimum temperature
  • Themperature thresholds
  • Thermal comfort
  • Winter

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