Online housing resource launched to help reduce health inequalities

It is estimated that poor housing costs the NHS at least £2 billion per year, increasing significantly from the previous estimate of £600million.

The CIEH and PHE believe that use of the ‘Housing and Health Resource’ will better inform and equip local action to tackle the detrimental effects of poor housing on both mental and physical health and wellbeing and reduce demand on public services.

The online housing resource is being launched at the CIEH’s 115 National Conference, taking place in Nottingham, and has been developed by Dr. James Hunter, Principal Lecturer in Public Policy, Nottingham Trent University, and Sian Buckley, Senior Lecturer in Public Health, University of West of England in conjunction with representatives from PHE and CIEH as well as housing professionals .

Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England said:

“One in five homes present a risk to health and wellbeing, both mental and physical, particularly from excess cold and falls. Together with the CIEH, PHE wants this online resource to help local areas address poor conditions in order to help to reduce health inequalities, and prevent and reduce demand for health and care services.”

Both the CIEH and PHE are keen to improve housing standards in the private sector and the online resource will  give local areas  better information to enable housing professionals to spot the signs of poor housing, as well as tactics on how to stop and prevent these issues arising in their local areas.

The online resource is a specially designed website that allows easy access to topical information on the links between housing and physical and mental health, a ‘policy and guidance’ section, which helps highlight national policy strategies and frameworks, government departments and agencies, as well as other resources and service providers.

Environmental Health Practitioners and their local partners will also benefit from examples of best practice case studies, summaries of successful projects already being carried out by other areas, as well as guidance on how to develop a housing and health profile for their local areas which can be used to inform decision-making, such as informing Joint Strategic Needs Assessments or targeting resources and policy initiatives.

Graham Jukes OBE, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said: “Good quality housing is fundamental to a healthy and enjoyable life and both the CIEH and PHE want the online resource to inform local discussions about the options to address housing issues as a means to improving health and wellbeing, and ultimately reduce health inequalities.”