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Over a quarter of British adults are living in homes blighted by damp, mould or freezing conditions, according to a damning new report. The study, which surveyed 3,982 adults, found that those from the poorest households are nearly twice as likely to suffer from damp and mouldy living conditions compared to the wealthiest families, with figures standing at 21% versus 12%. These same low-income residents are also approximately four times more likely to endure cold homes. The research, commissioned by Health Equals, reveals that one in five tenants grapple with issues such as damp or mould - a figure that rises to 23% for those living in social housing. Shockingly, 47% of adults enduring these dreadful conditions share their homes with children. To highlight this crisis, the campaign organisation surprised Christmas shoppers with an unusual display featuring hazmat onesies seemingly available for purchase. Window stickers highlighted the staggering number of British homes infested with deadly mould or damp, while the peculiar hazmat leisurewear offered a ludicrous solution to the real crisis affecting millions of Britons in their own homes. Television property guru Martin Roberts, who joined forces with the campaign group for this initiative, declared: "After more than two decades visiting thousands of homes across the UK, I've seen first-hand how damp, cold and mould can destroy both a property and the wellbeing of the people living in it. "It's not just unsightly, it's in the very fabric of people's properties as well as, more importantly, their health. "Good housing is the foundation for good health. You can't expect people to thrive if the very place they're meant to feel safe is actually making them sick. "That's why I'm proud to support this campaign; because everyone deserves to live in a warm, dry, safe and healthy home." Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa also supports the initiative, saying: "Damp, mould and disrepair are symptoms of a much deeper inequality in this country. "I've spent years meeting families who are trying to raise their children in homes that would fail even the most basic standards - properties that landlords or councils should have fixed long ago. "That's why this campaign is so important. It doesn't just highlight the problem; it's demanding real change. "Stronger laws to make every landlord take responsibility, proper funding to repair homes, and a cross-government plan to make sure no one's health is determined by their postcode or income." The study also found that 37% of respondents share homes with individuals suffering from underlying health conditions, such as asthma or heart failure, which could potentially worsen due to poor housing conditions. A recent survey reveals that 53% of respondents believe private landlords should be responsible for maintaining rental properties, while a significant 76% are in favour of government intervention to address health inequalities. Dr Andy Whittamore, a practising GP and Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, part of Health Equals, commented: "No one should have to live in a home that harms their health, yet as this new research shows, that is the reality for millions of people in the UK. "Living in damp or mouldy housing puts people living with chronic lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at risk of life-threatening flare-ups and means they are more likely to need emergency care. "Long-term exposure to mould can also cause lung conditions like asthma in previously healthy individuals. "It's high time for urgent government action to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in our society, ensuring everyone can stay warm and well at home."
