Wie Wohnbedingungen die Gesundheit prägen: Beweise und Wege

Housing is a foundational social determinant of health. Substandard housing is causally linked to:

• Respiratory disease (asthma, COPD exacerbations)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Mental health disorders (depression, anxiety)
• Unintentional injuries (falls, burns, fire)
• Chronic conditions (diabetes complications, certain cancers)

Key Exposure Pathways

• Indoor air quality – Tobacco smoke, mold spores, radon, carbon monoxide, VOCs → airway inflammation, carcinogenesis.
• Lead – Deteriorating pre-1978 paint, dust, soil, water → neurodevelopmental deficits in children; hypertension, renal dysfunction in adults.
• Mold & dampness – Triggers asthma, allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis; damages building envelope.
• Pests – Rodents, cockroaches → allergens, disease vectors, food contamination, psychological distress.
• Overcrowding – Elevates stress hormones, disrupts sleep, amplifies infectious disease transmission.
• Basic service gaps – No heat → hypothermia; no running water → hygiene-related infections, waterborne disease.

Neighborhood-Level Effects

Housing location determines access to healthy food (food deserts), safe recreation (walkability, parks), quality schools, healthcare facilities, and exposure to violence and pollution—all of which compound or mitigate housing-quality effects.

Policy implication: Safe, stable, affordable housing is preventive medicine. Investment in housing quality yields measurable health returns.