Environmental health disparities in housing

Abstract

The physical infrastructure and housing make human interaction possible and provide shelter. How well that infrastructure performs and which groups it serves have important implications for social equity and health. Populations in inadequate housing are more likely to have environmental diseases and injuries. Substantial disparities in housing have remained largely unchanged. Approximately 2.6 million (7.5%) non-Hispanic Blacks and 5.9 million Whites (2.8%) live in substandard housing. Segregation, lack of housing mobility, and homelessness are all associated with adverse health outcomes. Yet the experience with childhood lead poisoning in the United States has shown that housing-related disparities can be reduced. Effective interventions should be implemented to reduce environmental health disparities related to housing.

FIGURE 1

Prevalence of severe and moderate substandard housing by race and ethnicity: American Housing Survey, 2005.

FIGURE 2

Percentage of children aged 6 years or younger with blood lead levels ≥ 10 μg/dL: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), United States, 1976–2002.

FIGURE 3

Self-reported general health of the US population by race and ethnicity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1972–2002.

FIGURE 4

Percentage of housing with severe or moderate physical problems by race, ethnicity, and income: American Housing Survey, 1989–2001.

FIGURE 5

Colocated mold, bad air quality, and cold in European housing by income: 1971–2010.

FIGURE 6

Policy changes associated with reductions in children's blood lead levels (percentage > 10 μg/dL): United States, 1971–2010.