Towards the system-wide use of domestic sensor data to support healthy independent living.

Background: Indoor home environmental quality is a key influence on wider determinants of health. Modern sensor systems (increasingly being deployed by housing providers) monitor indoor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, detecting and evidencing issues like damp and mould. Triggering action sooner, in line with the recently introduced Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. Smart meters are also being adopted, measuring electricity usage over time. There is increasing interest from health and care providers to understand how these domestic sensor data can be leveraged by them to address wider challenges such as fuel poverty (seen in temperature data) and changing health conditions (e.g. seen through changes in electricity usage). Early detection of problems can enable more timely intervention and support independent living. Previous studies also indicate that households are comfortable with these sensors and the use of the data by trusted organisations. Aim and objectives: Our long-term aim for a Programme Grant, is to develop a whole systems approach to harness the value of domestic sensor data to facilitate earlier interventions, promoting the health and independence of people with vulnerabilities. To advance this aim, this Programme Development Grant (PDG) has the following objectives, to: synthesise the existing evidence. create a Systems Map for the housing, health and care system (the System) to support independent living, exploring information flows within the System. explore ethical and governance issues. understand the economic impacts and how these can be measured using a whole systems approach. Development work plan and timeline: Engaging with publics and professional practitioners throughout, our workstreams (WS) are: WS1 Evidence synthesis: A systematic review on the use of domestic sensor measures to identify, monitor and improve health and associated economic analyses. WS2 Mapping: A series of co-design workshops with our stakeholder groups of (i) householders and (ii) professionals working in housing, health and care. Using systems mapping methodology to a) define and map the System and develop a common understanding of it, b) explore the potential challenges, opportunities and acceptability of sharing domestic sensor data, c) explore the insights available from domestic sensor systems and issues of informed consent, ethics and governance and d) identifying cost drivers. Additional interviews with specialist stakeholders will ensure the complexity of the System is understood and properly represented. Findings will be shared with stakeholders and included in the Systems Map. WS3 Consolidation: Drawing together the findings of WS1 and WS2, outputs will include: Systems map of the housing, health and care system. Papers submitted for publication: (i) Systematic review, (ii) Systems Map. Identification of the key cost drivers to inform the future development of the economic analysis. Submission of a Programme Grant. Anticipated impact and dissemination: This project will enable professionals and publics to explore the full value of domestic sensor data and its potential to support independent living. Outcomes will be shared through publications, presentations to practitioner and public groups, and online, and will inform a Programme Grant application.