Assessing health risks associated with energy poverty in French households using structural equation modelling.

Energy poverty, acknowledged for its significant impact on health, has become a policy priority in most European countries. Despite increasing attention, the social and health mechanisms through which energy poverty affects well-being remain insufficiently explored. This study uses data from a national survey conducted in mainland France in 2019 (N = 1000 households), to explore the effects of energy poverty on mental and physical health. We construct a multidimensional energy poverty index based on housing satisfaction, mildew/dampness, heating deprivation, and thermal discomfort, and adapt the Short Form health scale. Using structural equation modelling, we show that energy poverty is associated with poorer physical and mental health with physical health partially mediating its effect. Socio-demographic factors including age, gender, housing status, tobacco use, and energy expenditures further amplify these associations. Policy recommendations address the multidimensional nature of energy poverty and its health impacts, providing insights relevant to other countries facing similar challenges.