Considering people spend two-thirds of their lives where they live, the quality of housing and the state of their neighborhood can play a large role in well-being and cause poor health. A new report from Urban Institute took a look at the impact of blighted properties and policy and program recommendations that can help communities make housing and neighborhoods healthier.
Considering people spend two-thirds of their lives where they live, the quality of housing and the state of their neighborhood can play a large role in well-being and cause poor health. A new report from Urban Institute took a look at the impact of blighted properties, such as substandard housing, abandoned buildings, and vacant lots, and policy and program recommendations that can help communities make housing and neighborhoods healthier.
Previous studies have found that dampness and mold exposure in the home has helped contribute to asthma for 20% of Americans with the condition. In addition, proximity to work, school, and public services can affect health, according to the report.
“Housing is a key social determinant of public health,” authors Erwin de Leon, PhD, of Columbia University, and Joseph Schilling, JD, of Urban Institute, wrote. “The condition of our homes, from the indoor air we breathe to the tap water we drink, and the neighborhoods where we live, from green space to amenities, can lead to better or worse health outcomes.”
The report reviewed current interventions in place to mitigate blight:
Successful interventions should be place-based, according to the authors. To implement that strategy, there are 5 core principles to follow:
“We can learn from some of the interventions initiated by cities to mitigate and remediate the negative impact of blight,” de Leon and Schilling concluded. “Moreover, more can be done, including taking a place-based approach to tacking blight; expanding the use of HIAs; learning from code enforcement and other policies; engaging the community in public health studies; and infusing health into codes, policies and practices.”
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