The effect of the Winter Fuel Payment on household temperature and health: A regression discontinuity design study

This study examined whether the Winter Fuel Payment policy intervention was associated with raised household temperatures and/or improved health; the study was conducted in 12,210 adults aged 50–90 years in England who were enrolled in ELSA. Outcomes included indoor air temperature and health endpoints, including blood pressure, fibrinogen, hs-CRP, FEV1, subject-reported chest infection, subject-reported health, and depressive symptoms (CES-D score). FEV1 was measured in a proportion of patients using a handheld Vitalograph microspirometer.