Vulnerable groups have been described as hard to reach but they are easily reached by the tobacco industry, and by cheap available alcohol.
Zafar Iqbal, Acting Director of Public Health for Stoke-on-Trent, includes this telling phrase in his report for 2011.
Like many agencies trying to bring affordable warmth to households across the UK, Beat the Cold needs to find the people who need our help most. Who are these vulnerable groups, and where are they?
There is no agreed definition, but Professor Iqbal points the way in his report. The following issues are relevant:
- not in employment, education or training
- not in suitable housing
- having a disability oir a long-term illness
- lone parents
- older and infirm pensioners
- deprived people among ethnic minority groups
- many with chaotic drug and alcohol misuse
- young and ex-offenders
- many people with mental health issues.
The report says: ‘The impact of social exclusion is great, and work is urgently needed to minimise its effects. Demand on health services is higher in more deprived groups.’
In the proposals for the Green Deal, government includes a way to help vulnerable households keep warm at home – the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). The Affordable Warmth element of ECO is designed to provide support to those low income and vulnerable households least able to heat their homes to an adequate standard and most prone to suffering health or social detriment.
How will government define these vulnerable households? ‘Low income households who include an older person, a child or someone with a disability, and who do not have access to alternative sources of support to improve their heating arrangements.’ The proposal goes on to say: ‘entitlement to certain means tested benefits and tax credits is an effective and accurate means of targeting households on low incomes and at risk of the health consequences of living in cold homes.’ The details are on page 123 of the consultation.
Our own work, particularly through Emergency Warmth, shows the importantance of practical, prompt response in some cases. It also shows tht it is possible to demonstrate a positive impact on health. Vulnerability, in real life, will be recognised by concerned and committed practitioners who recognise the wide-ranging cause and effect discussed by Professor Iqbal.