Govt Insulation Plan Positive For Chch Health

Heather Carter, Hch Spokesperson

Media Release Monday 1 June 2009

Govt Insulation Plan Positive For Christchurch Health

“Health Cuts Hurt supports the budget announcement by Energy and Resource Minister Gerry Brownlee to place $323m over four years into insulating houses built before 2000,” Chairperson of patient lobby group, Health Cuts Hurt, Heather Carter said today.

She was commenting on the 28 May budget proposal of a grant of a third of the cost, up to $1300 to insulate a house. The scheme is not being means tested. Once a home is insulated, owners can apply for $500 towards heating.

"Home is where we spend most of our time, particularly in winter. It should be seen as a health initiative primarily saving lives and young people’s lungs,” said Heather Carter.

“Most Christchurch homes built before 2000 have insufficient insulation and heating leaving the internal temperature way below WHO guidelines of 18 degrees. A city of old villas built upon a swamp contributes to one of the worst winter mortality rates in the developed world. A lot more people die in winter than summer,” said Heather Carter.

“Young children in damp, badly ventilated homes are many times more at risk of lung and other similar type diseases,” said Heather Carter. “Studies show that improved heating and insulation cuts hospital admissions by about a third.”

“With the possibility of a flu pandemic hitting New Zealand over the next 8 weeks in what looks to be a very cold Christchurch winter, peoples’ minds are attuned to public health issues such as this.”

Health Cuts Hurt calls on the Minister to lower power prices as well,” said Heather Carter. “The discovery by the Government of a huge rip off of residents by power companies over the last few years provides the opportunity to lower prices as the second leg of this initiative.”

ENDS

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