The Impact of Poor Housing Conditions on Public Health

When considering health in Israel, many often focus on hospitals, medical services, or medication costs. However, recent research highlights that the environment within our homes plays a critical role in our overall health. A comprehensive study conducted by Jordan Hannink Attal from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Melbourne, alongside Professor Yehuda Neumark, underscores the significance of housing quality as a determinant of health.

Published in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, the study reveals a disturbing link between substandard housing conditions and health issues across Israel. Chronic underinvestment in affordable, safe, and quality housing is not just a social or economic challenge but a pressing public health emergency. The analysis points out that many regions, particularly in peripheral areas, Bedouin communities, and ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods, suffer from deteriorating public housing, weak rental protections, and a lack of comprehensive data.

A significant portion of the population, over 30%, allocates more than a third of their income to housing costs, with the poorest households spending over half. This financial stress impacts both mental and physical health, with consequences such as increased rates of asthma, cardiovascular conditions, and depression linked to housing factors like mold, poor ventilation, overcrowding, and exposure to temperature extremes. Many older buildings lack proper insulation and safe shelters, leaving residents vulnerable not only to environmental hazards but also to regional conflicts.

The research stresses the absence of integrated, multidisciplinary studies on housing and health nationwide. Unlike countries such as New Zealand and Australia, Israel lacks institutions that systematically collect data on the health impacts of poor housing. Attal and Neumark advocate for establishing a national, government-supported research initiative that involves epidemiologists, urban planners, architects, and economists. The goal is to translate research findings into policy changes that improve housing quality and public health.

Addressing housing as a standalone health determinant is an ethical and societal imperative. Ensuring access to safe, quality housing is crucial for promoting health equity and safeguarding vulnerable populations. This approach calls for urgent policy reforms to prevent further health disparities caused by inadequate housing conditions.