Housing and health: The relationship between research and policy

Howden‐Chapman, Philippa; Isaacs, Nigel; Crane, Julian; Chapman, Ralph

doi:10.1080/09603129609356888

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…Chaudhuri (2004) found a strong relationship between social disadvantage and living in poor quality housing. Cash poor populations have fewer choices in housing and are liable to end up in poor housing (Howden-Chapmen et al, 1996). These homes tend to have exorbitant housing expenditures, which worsens their incidence of poverty after housing costs were subtracted (Stephen, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Housing conditions, sanitation status and associated health risks in selected subsidized low-cost housing settlements in Cape Town, South Africa

Govender

Barnes

Pieper

2011

Habitat International

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Populations with less disposable income have fewer choices and are liable to end up in poor housing (Howden-Chapmen, Isaacs, Crane, & Chapman, 1996). Less income is available for maintenance and repair, medicines and other necessary items such as food, which can have a direct impact on health status (Chaudhuri, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Housing conditions, sanitation status and associated health risks in selected subsidized low-cost housing settlements in Cape Town, South Africa

Govender

Barnes

Pieper

2011

Habitat International

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“…The most common reason for excluding studies of housing improvements from the latest systematic reviews was that they did not provide data on changes in health outcomes 12 13. The recent Cochrane Review covered 33 quantitative studies,13 nine of which used the SF-36 Health Survey to assess health outcomes (we use the SF-12v2 Health Survey).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical and mental health outcomes following housing improvements: evidence from the GoWell study

Curl

Kearns

Mason

et al. 2014

J Epidemiol Community Health

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BackgroundExisting research points towards physical and mental health gains from housing improvements, but findings are inconsistent and often not statistically significant. The detailed characteristics and variability of housing improvement works are problematic and studies are often small, not experimental, with short follow-up times.MethodsA quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact on physical health and mental health (using SF-12v2 Physical and Mental health component summary scales) of four types of housing improvement works—central heating, ‘Secured By Design’ front doors, fabric works, kitchens and bathrooms—both singly and in pairwise combinations. A longitudinal sample of 1933 residents from 15 deprived communities in Glasgow, UK was constructed from surveys carried out in 2006, 2008 and 2011. Sociodemographic characteristics and changes in employment status were taken into account.ResultsFabric works had positive associations with physical health (+2.09, 95% CI 0.13 to 4.04) and mental health (+1.84, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.65) in 1–2 years. Kitchens and bathrooms had a positive association with mental health in 1–2 years (+2.58, 95% CI 0.79 to 4.36). Central heating had a negative association with physical health (−2.21, 95% CI −3.74 to −0.68). New front doors had a positive association with mental health in <1 year (+5.89, 95% CI 0.65 to 11.14) and when provided alongside kitchens and bathrooms (+4.25, 95% CI 1.71 to 6.80). Gaining employment had strong associations with physical health (+7.14, 95% CI 4.72 to 9.55) as well as mental health (+5.50, 95% CI 3.27 to 7.73).ConclusionsFabric works may provide insulation benefits and visual amenity benefits to residents. Front doors may provide important security benefits in deprived communities. Economic regeneration is important alongside property-led regeneration.

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“…Substandard existing housing has been identified as a major public health issue in New Zealand,4 the UK,5–7 the USA1 and Europe 8 9. Direct effects of poor housing have been identified on: injuries in the home,10 deaths from house fires,11 12 respiratory symptoms,13 14 coronary events15 and mental health problems 16–18.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing housing quality and its impact on health, safety and sustainability

Keall

Baker

Howden‐Chapman

et al. 2010

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health

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BackgroundThe adverse health and environmental effects of poor housing quality are well established. A central requirement for evidence-based policies and programmes to improve housing standards is a valid, reliable and practical way of measuring housing quality that is supported by policy agencies, the housing sector, researchers and the public. Methods This paper provides guidance on the development of housing quality-assessment tools that link practical measures of housing conditions to their effects on health, safety and sustainability, with particular reference to tools developed in New Zealand and England. Results The authors describe how information on housing quality can support individuals, agencies and the private sector to make worthwhile improvements to the health, safety and sustainability of housing. The information gathered and the resultant tools developed should be guided by the multiple purposes and end users of this information. Other important issues outlined include deciding on the scope, detailed content, practical administration issues and how the information will be analysed and summarised for its intended end users. There are likely to be considerable benefits from increased international collaboration and standardisation of approaches to measuring housing hazards. At the same time, these assessment approaches need to consider local factors such as climate, geography, culture, predominating building practices, important housing-related health issues and existing building codes. Conclusions An effective housing quality-assessment tool has a central role in supporting improvements to housing. The issues discussed in this paper are designed to motivate and assist the development of such tools.

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Housing and health: The relationship between research and policy

Cited by 21 publications

References 39 publications

Housing conditions, sanitation status and associated health risks in selected subsidized low-cost housing settlements in Cape Town, South Africa

Housing conditions, sanitation status and associated health risks in selected subsidized low-cost housing settlements in Cape Town, South Africa

Physical and mental health outcomes following housing improvements: evidence from the GoWell study

Assessing housing quality and its impact on health, safety and sustainability

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