Under One Roof: How Linking Health and Housing Data Could Transform Lives

Navigating today's complex world, we realise that understanding population health management needs a broader perspective. The solution? Merging health and housing data. With data-driven insights becoming increasingly crucial, this combination can substantially benefit policy, planning, and population health in England.

Why should we connect health and housing data? The relationship between the two is undeniable. A safe, well-maintained, and comfortable home significantly impacts a person's well-being. On the other hand, poor housing conditions can worsen existing health problems or lead to new ones, such as damp-related asthma and COPD. By uniting data from both sectors, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation, paving the way for better decision-making and resource allocation.

The perks of linked data for population health management include:

1. Gaining insight into health inequalities: Linking health and housing data offers a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health. This knowledge identifies areas needing targeted interventions, addressing health inequalities and enhancing population health.
2. Smarter resource allocation and efficiency: With a precise understanding of the areas most affected by poor health and housing conditions, resources can be allocated more efficiently. This ensures funding goes where it's needed most, maximising public spending impact and achieving allocative efficiency.
3. Informed policy-making: Linked data offers invaluable insights for policymakers, shaping decisions on housing and health initiatives. Evidence-based policies guarantee new initiatives are targeted and effective.
4. Boosted collaboration between sectors: Linking health and housing data encourages collaboration between these sectors, leading to integrated services and a holistic approach to improving population health and well-being.

Poor housing conditions, such as damp and mould, have long been recognised as contributing factors to respiratory problems like asthma and COPD.

• A systematic review found that living in homes with damp or mould was associated with a 50% increased risk of asthma or wheezing in children. Up to 14% of childhood asthma is attributable to living in damp or mouldy homes. 1
• In 2019, the presence of damp and/or mould in English residences was estimated to be associated with approximately 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 lower respiratory infections among children and adults. 2
• A study in New Zealand showed that higher scores on the Respiratory Hazard Index (which includes factors like dampness and mould) were associated with increased risk of hospital admission for respiratory tract infections in children. There was a dose-response relationship between the damp-mould index and hospital admissions. 3

By linking health and housing data, we can identify areas where poor housing conditions contribute to higher incidences of these health issues. This information helps target interventions, such as housing improvements or support services, to mitigate health risks.

The Decent Homes Standard, introduced in England in 2004, outlines criteria for a 'decent' home, addressing issues like damp, thermal comfort, and overall safety. Linking health and housing data allows us to assess the Decent Homes Standard's impact on population health and pinpoint areas needing further improvements. This leads to targeted investment in housing and infrastructure, ensuring more people have access to safe, healthy living environments. 4

Benefits of linked data for housing include:

1. Supporting vulnerable populations: Understanding health and housing connections allows targeted support for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled individuals, or low-income families. This ensures that those most in need receive assistance to improve living conditions and well-being.
2. Encouraging sustainable development: Linked health and housing data informs sustainable development practices promoting healthy living environments. Considering health outcomes when planning new housing developments creates communities that promote well-being and reduce health service demand.
3. Inspiring innovation: As our understanding of health and housing connections develops, this data can spark innovative solutions addressing both sectors' challenges. This could lead to new housing models, integrated services, and technology-driven solutions enhancing the population's lives.
4. Identifying improvement areas: Linked data reveals areas with poor housing conditions impacting population health. Understanding these correlations enables housing providers and local authorities to target improvements and investments, resulting in better living conditions and a healthier population.

By linking health and housing data, we can revolutionise population health management in England. With a more comprehensive understanding of well-being factors, we can make better-informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and improve our communities' health and living conditions.

Authors

Wes Baker

Professor Joe Rafferty