. 2012 Oct 12;4(1):95–101. doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1060

Table 2.

Summary of direction of health impacts from included studies (NB: Arrow size denotes study size not effect size)

Author year	Study design	Study quality	Final sample int/cont	Time since interv'n	Interv'n integrity
Intervention: warmth and energy efficiency improvements (post 1980)
Osman et al., 2010	RCT	A	45/51	5 months	C
Howden-Chapman et al., 2008 ^**	RCT	A	175/174	4–5 months	C
Braubach et al., 2008	CBA	A	∼210/165	5–8 months	C
Barton et al., 2007 ^^,^***	RCT	A	193/254	3–10 months	C
Howden-Chapman et al., 2007 ^*	RCT	A	1689/1623	<1 year	C
Platt et al., 2007	CBA	A	1281/1084	1–2 years	B
Lloyd et al., 2008	CBA	B	9/27	1–2.5 years	C
Shortt et al., 2007	CBA	B	46/54	1–3.5 years	C
Somerville et al., 2000 ^**	UBA	B	72	3 months	B
Hopton et al., 1996 ^**	CBA	B	55/77	5–11 months	C
Allen 2005	UBA	C	16	<1 year	C
Allen 2005 a	UBA	C	24	<3 years	C
Health Action Kirklees 2005	R	C	102	2–8 months	B
Iversen et al., 1986	CBA	C	106/535	3–6 months	B
Intervention: rehousing/retrofitting +/− neighbourhood renewal (post 1995)
Kearns et al., 2008 ^**	CBA	A	262/284	24 months	C
Thomson et al., 2007	CBA	A	50/50	12 months	B
Critchley et al., 2004	CBA	A	∼109/137	1–12 months	B
Thomas et al., 2005	CBA	B	585/759	22 months	C
Barnes et al., 2003	CBA	B	45/45	18 months	C
Evans et al., 2002	CBA	B	17/17	6–18 months	C
Blackman et al., 2001 ^*	UBA	C	166	5 years	C
Wells 2000	UBA	C	23	2–3 years	B
Ambrose 1999	UBA	C	227	4 years	C
Halpern 1995	XUBA	C	27	10 months	C
Intervention: provision of basic housing needs/low or middle income country intervention
Spiegel et al., 2003	XCBA	C	896/807	1–4 years	C
Aziz et al., 1990 ^^,^**	XCBA	C	∼ > 200/200	2–3 years	B
Intervention: rehousing from slums (pre 1965)
Wilner et al., 1960	CBA	A	1891/2893	<1 year	B
Chapin 1938	UBA	C	171	8–19 months	B
McGonigle et al., 1936 ^^,^**	XCBA	C	<152/289	5 years	C

data for children also available

^**

children only

^***

area level data not relating to study population alone

^****

adults and children aggregated

Study design: RCT, randomised controlled trial; CBA, controlled before and after study; UBA, uncontrolled before and after study; XCBA, cross-sectional controlled before and after study; XUBA, uncontrolled cross-sectional before and after study; RC, retrospective controlled study (recall of change in health outcomes after intervention); R, uncontrolled retrospective study.

Effect direction: Inline graphic = positive health impact, = negative health impact, = no change/conflicting findings

Sample size: final sample size (individuals) in intervention group large arrow >300; medium arrow 50–300; small arrow <50.

Statistical significance: black arrow p < 0.05; grey arrow p > 0.05; empty arrow = no statistics/data reported.

Statistical tests: controlled studies—difference between control and intervention group at follow-up (unless stated); ^a Difference in change between control and intervention group; ^b Change within intervention group only.

Uncontrolled studies: change since baseline (unless stated).

Number of outcomes within each category synthesis is 1 unless indicated in subscript beside effect direction.

Synthesis of multiple outcomes within same outcome category

Where multiple outcomes all report effect in same direction and with same level of statistical significance, report effect direction and indicate overall level of statistical significance

Where direction of effect varies across multiple outcomes:

Report direction of effect and statistical significance where 70% of outcomes report similar direction and similar statistical significance.

If <70% of outcomes report consistent direction of effect report no clear effect/conflicting findings (size to reflect sample size)

Where statistical significance varies:

If direction of effect similar AND >60% outcomes statistically significant, report as statistically significant (black arrow).

If direction of effect similar AND <60% outcomes statistically significant, report as not statistically significant (grey arrow).