Housing and Public Health – the Critical Connection

The influence of housing in the lives of people as a necessary (shelters, homes) & enough to affect all aspects of human health.

Specifically, attributes of housing stock such as quality, cost, and location are critical determinants of health in population.

As such, bettering of housing environment is now widely seen as a health policy intervention of growing significance.

In this blog we will briefly consider housing and public health, the dangers to health from bad quality housing and the positives in the form of healthy housing policies.

1. The Link between Housing and Public Health

The link of housing and public health is a complex intertwined relationship within which people are directly affected at different interrelated levels.

Shelter that is a minimum of adequate, the basic, SUNMAP, offers protection for both the body and mind and is fundamental for health.

On the other hand, unfavourable accommodation environment like cramped rooms, low temperatures, dampness, other poor physical facilities, toxins like lead, asbestos, etc. have health effects.

Another component linking housing and public health is associated with mental health which is Shelter and Shelter stability.

If only people have decent homes they will feel better emotionally as opposed to feeling constantly under the threat that could come with being evicted or being homeless.

Housing stability makes families be able to spend money on other sectors in life like education, healthy food, and healthcare making them healthier.

Secondly, the housing location influences other needs, needs such as hospitals, groceries, parks, and schools, among others.

Staying in communities that offer healthy assets and resources within the community may increase chances of a healthy lifestyle, access to health services; access on the other hand to hazardous surroundings or poor service delivery may also lead to chances of developing chronic diseases.

2. Health Risks Associated with Inadequate Housing

Deprived housing environments have a high likelihood of negatively impacting public health especially the young and frail and those with chronic disease.

Some common health risks associated with housing and pubic health include:

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases:

Indoor air pollution arising from factors such as dampness and mold, and exposure to tobacco smoke, or radon may also cause or aggravate respiratory diseases like asthma.

Homes which are cold or inadequately heated may also raise the risk of cardiovascular issues, or other cold-related health complications, more particularly among the elderly.

Infectious Diseases:

The overcrowded housing condition remained influential in transmitting body infectious diseases, which include tuberculosis, influenza, and COVID-19.

Its main drawbacks include density, congestion and failure to provide adequate facilities for effective hygiene practices and social aeration hence diseases spread easily.

Lead Poisoning and Other Toxic Exposures:

Super old structure houses tend to have lead base paint which is dangerous for the health especially to children.

Lead poisoning can create or exacerbate developmental delay, learning disability, and behavioral issue.

Other toxic sources include asbestos or other chemicals, which causes chronic health complications including cancer.

Mental Health Issues:

Lack of residential stability or housing qualified/suitability lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Lack of shelter is a form of stress that can seriously affect mental health given the fears related to eviction or being homeless or living in high crime areas.

On the other hand, attainment of a secure housing means fewer headaches and therefore optimum chance for the other components of human health.

3. The Benefits of Health-Focused Housing Policies

Approaching housing as a strategy of public health is useful for people and has many advantages.

Policies designed in relation to housing and public health seek to change the quality, accessibility, and affordability of houses therefore improve the health of people.

Some key benefits that will be achieved in housing and public health by integrating public health considerations into housing policies include:

Reduced Healthcare Costs:

By enhancing the quality of houses and eradicating health hazards that include; mold, lead, and air born diseases, health oriented housing polices decrease the rate of prevalent health complications hence lowering the costs incurred on health bills.

For example, programs that work to upgrade appliances, homes, or buildings for better heating and cooling lower visits to hospitals expected from respiratory ailments and other diseases.

Improved Quality of Life:

Providing and protecting the rights to home health, safety, and affordability improves the overall living standards of providing a home for people with limited income.

There is the implication that when people attain proper housing, they also have well-being health or status because stress and free mental health affect well-being.

Increased Health Equity:

Healthy housing provisions encourage partnership with registered Housing Providers in order to minimize the health inequalities relating to poverty levels.

For these policies may pay for affordable housing and remove environmental risks in deprived communities, it can facilitate health equity, a state where all people can enjoy healthy lives through a supportive physical and social environment.

Conclusion

In summary, housing and public health are inversely related, and the state of housing influences overall population health very much.

Lack of proper shelter and way in which it affects health can be rectified by providing proper shelter and effectively implementing health, initiatives.

While the social determinants of health are gradually being acknowledged, incorporating positive improvements within the housing and public health domain will be significant in creating better communities.

Also read: Integrating Public Health and Housing