Environment JSNA

Evidence base

This section provides links and a brief summary of a robust evidence base. For example, peer-reviewd studies, systematic revies, evaluations of interventions and best practice guidelines from national sources.

Issue number 1 = highest priority
1	Source	UK Biobank / NIHR (2023)
	Title incl. web link	Housing and health: improving understanding of how energy-inefficient housing affects health
	Summary	This NIHR-funded study links housing energy performance with health outcomes using UK Biobank data. It examines long-term impacts of cold, inefficient homes on cardiovascular risk factors and chronic disease development, aiming to inform housing and health policy.
	Source	European Journal of Public Health (peer‑reviewed) (2024)
	Title incl. web link	Interventions for cold homes: a rapid review of the health impacts
	Summary	The 2024 rapid review provides strong evidence that improving the energy efficiency and thermal performance of home particularly cold and hard‑to‑heat home can meaningfully improve health, especially mental health and wellbeing, while reducing pressure on health services.
2	Source	The Health Foundation (2024)
	Title incl. web link	Relationship between access to green space and health
	Summary	Analysis of UK data shows strong links between green space access and life expectancy. Inequalities persist, with deprived areas having less access, impacting physical and mental health outcomes.
	Source	Natural England (2025)
	Title incl. web link	Green Infrastructure: the catalyst for Urban Greening
	Summary	Best practice guidance for embedding green infrastructure standards in local plans. Promotes equitable access to nature-rich spaces to improve health and resilience, aligning with national planning policy.
3	Source	Sustainability Journal (2022)
	Title incl. web link	Assessing Future Flood Risk and Developing Integrated Flood Risk Management Strategies: A Case Study from the UK
	Summary	Peer-reviewed study modelling future flood risk in England under climate change scenarios. Evaluates adaptation portfolios and integrated strategies to reduce expected annual damages, stressing coordinated planning.
	Source	European Journal of Public Health (2024)
	Title incl. web link	Can we adapt fairly? Systematic review of health equity implications of climate change in coastal communities in the UK
	Summary	Systematic review of UK evidence on coastal flood risk and adaptation measures. Finds that household-level interventions (e.g., insurance, property resilience) may exacerbate inequalities, while community-based strategies can reduce disparities.