What are the health consequences of inadequate housing?

Substandard housing such as water leaks, poor ventilation, dirty carpets and pest infestation can lead to an increase in mold, mites and other allergens associated with poor health. Cold indoor conditions have been associated with poorer health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

What are the effects of overcrowded housing?

Further detrimental social and environmental consequences of overcrowded housing include exposure to noise, a lack of privacy, mental ill-health [32] and increased violence [33].

How does lack of housing affect the individual?

Studies show that poor living conditions negatively affect physical and mental health. In fact, one study found that individuals in poor housing exhibit worse mental health in 100 percent of cases. The health ramifications of poor living conditions on individuals extend to entire communities as well.

What are the social effects of substandard housing?

Social forces suchas addictions, family breakdown, and mental illness are compounded by structural forces such aslack of available low-cost housing, poor economic conditions, and insufficient mental health services. Together these factors impact levels of homelessness through their dynamic relations.

What illnesses can poor housing cause?

Inadequate housing causes or contributes to many preventable diseases and injuries, including respiratory, nervous system and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Poor design or construction of homes is the cause of most home accidents. In some European countries, they kill more people than do road accidents.

How does poor living conditions affect mental health?

Children who have lived in temporary accommodation for over a year are three times as likely to have mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, compared to their peers. Living in poor housing affects women more than men.

What are the four effects of overcrowding?

Effects on quality of life due to crowding may include increased physical contact, lack of sleep, lack of privacy and poor hygiene practices.

What is the meaning of over crowded?

: to cause to be too crowded. intransitive verb. : to crowd together too much.

How does housing affect lifestyle?

Around the world, families without decent housing are exposed to greater personal and environmental risks, are less nourished, and have less access to health care, according to the World Health Organization. As many as 1 in 4 people worldwide live in conditions that harm their health and safety.

What are bad living conditions?

excessive dirt or filth in the home. improper building construction or poor maintenance of living quarters. buildup of animal or human waste. insect and/or vermin infestations.

How are children affected by damp and overcrowded housing?

Physical development. Children living in poor conditioned housing and overcrowded housing may be underweight due to income from the family, or may be not getting the vital dietary needs that someone needs. Children living in damp and overcrowded housing may be unhygienic and will be at a high-risk of illnesses and infections.

How does overcrowded housing affect families in the full house?

Full House? Three quarters of the overcrowded families surveyed had children sharing a bedroom with a parent or parents. More than a quarter had children sleeping in living or dining rooms. Three quarters of families strongly agreed that their sleep was regularly disturbed because of their living conditions.

What is the who definition of household crowding?

Household crowding – WHO Housing and Health Guidelines – NCBI Bookshelf Household crowding is a condition where the number of occupants exceeds the capacity of the dwelling space available, whether measured as rooms, bedrooms or floor area, resulting in adverse physical and mental health outcomes (72, 73).

How does housing affect the health of people?

Abstract. Poor housing conditions are associated with a wide range of health conditions, including respiratory infections, asthma, lead poisoning, injuries, and mental health. Addressing housing issues offers public health practitioners an opportunity to address an important social determinant of health.