Cities and global health: fragmented housing policies increase health risks for vulnerable people

The association of housing with health was recorded scientifically over 170 years ago, and housing remains a wider determinant of health globally.1 In urban settings where about 54% of the world’s population now live,2 poor housing conditions influence physical health and psychosocial wellbeing through indoor temperature; air and noise pollution; risk of injury, stress, and infection; and the external and internal environment of homes.345 The cost of housing also affects health67 as it determines what residual income remains for other needs such as food, transportation, and medical services.8 Reviews have identified that experiencing foreclosure9 and lack of housing stability1011 are associated with worse physical and mental health.Globally, environmental risk factors can contribute more than a third of the preventable disease burden in children.12 In parts of Africa, lack of facilities for simple exercise have contributed to a recent and disproportionately increased incidence of obesity in women.13Also, recent studies indicate growing…
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