Health 2020: Social protection, housing and health - en
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sector brief on
Housing
September 2016
Health 2020:
Social protection,
housing and health
Synergy between sectors:
fostering better housing
and health outcomes
Summary
The Health 2020 policy framework has development and high-quality liveable envi- • working with the health sector to identify
been adopted by all Member States of the ronments. This will not only improve good urban and rural areas of highest depriva-
WHO European Region in order to address health and well-being but also enhance tion, where vulnerable population groups
Europe’s great social and health challenges, good-quality housing and foster healthy are most likely to live;
calling upon the health sector to reach out and resilient communities and economies. • providing a safety net for those who face
to, and work with, all the various sectors housing difficulties such as home loss or
and parties in the continuous work of The housing sector can help to create changes that make their homes no longer
improving people’s health and well-being. healthier people and communities by: suitable; and
Investment in housing plays an important • ensuring availability of affordable • working with the health sector to ensure
role in determining health through the high-quality housing in safe neighbour- that groups at risk of poverty and exclu-
life-course. The housing sector is crucial to hoods and with access to key services, sion, including people with disabilities,
improving social and living conditions and education and leisure; are empowered and enabled to overcome
preventing injuries and disease, as well as • ensuring that health considerations are in- structural and social disadvantages.
for supporting thriving and resilient commu- cluded in the development, adoption and
nities. By working together, the health and monitoring of standards and regulations;
housing sectors can contribute significantly • assessing and tackling housing conditions
to individuals, communities and societies, associated with health risks and poor
reduce inequalities and support human disease outcomes;Key messages
The goal of Health 2020 is to significantly improve the health and
well-being of populations, reduce health inequalities, strengthen
public health and ensure people-centred health systems that are
universal, equitable, sustainable and of high quality.
1
Health and well-being are
public goods and assets for
human development, which
contribute to strong, dynamic
and creative societies.
5 2
Social progress is best mea- Health and well-being are
sured by objective indicators best achieved if the whole of
of health, health equity and government works together,
well-being, and this includes and Health 2020 promotes
the conditions in which people a whole-of-government and
are born, live and work. whole-of-society approaches.
4 3
Different countries, cities and Improving health and well-
communities are at different being and reducing health
starting points: each is unique inequalities is possible, through
and can pursue common goals the right policies and working
through different pathways. with other sectors.
2 Health 2020: Housing and healthStrengthening the link
between health and
housing policy
In 2012, all 53 countries in the European has been one of the main public health
Region adopted Health 2020, the new interventions. Living in poorly ventilated,
common European health policy framework, unsafe and overcrowded settings with high
and committed themselves to developing levels of environmental pollution has a
integrative polices that engage with all sec- negative impact on health. Poor-quality built
tors in addressing the social and economic environment and inadequate housing con-
determinants of health and well-being. ditions affect health and trigger inequities:
Promoting high-quality and affordable dampness, mould and cold are only a few of
housing options can play a key role in this the major risk factors linked to inadequate
process and further contribute to improving housing. These, in turn, increase the risk of
human health. The housing sector plays an musculoskeletal conditions, allergies, injuries,
important role in people’s lives, including cardiovascular disorders and respiratory
ensuring high-quality living conditions and diseases, including asthma and tuberculosis.
environments, social opportunities and the Working together, we have the power to
capacity to improve the environment and intervene to address avoidable negative
health of populations and communities. effects, to compensate for unequal situations
and to ensure that the most vulnerable
Improvements in housing conditions in Eu- receive the extra attention they need.
rope have played a major role in increasing
life expectancy, and housing improvement
World Health Organization 3Health 2020:
a framework for action
The goal of Health 2020 is to significantly improve
the health and well-being of populations, reduce
health inequalities, strengthen public health and
ensure people-centred health systems that are uni-
versal, equitable, sustainable and of high quality.
All Member States of the WHO European Region have What makes societies prosper and flourish can also
agreed to monitor progress against six common targets: make people healthy: policies that recognize this
have more impact.
Building awareness and capacity to make health
1. Reduce premature mortality in objectives part of society’s overall socioeconomic and
human development is an essential task. All policy fields,
the European Region by 2020 including health, need to reform their ways of working
and employ new forms and approaches to policy. This
2. Increase life expectancy in applies to the global, national and local levels.
the European Region
3. Reduce health inequalities in
the European Region
4. Enhance the well-being of the
European Region population
5. Ensure universal health coverage
and the right to the highest
attainable level of health
6. Set national goals and targets
related to health in Member States.
4 Health 2020: Housing and healthSynergy between sectors:
housing policy as a tool to
improve health and well-being
Strengthening the link between
?
health and housing policy
It is well understood that housing is an tions. Disabled people often face limitations the health sector and the need for sheltered
important determinant and lever for health regarding accessibility and usability of their accommodation for homeless people.
and health equity. Housing and health are home. Some marginalized groups, such
universal concerns and basic human needs. as the Roma, often live in dwellings made Housing can also contribute to improved
They are so closely tied that, historically, from nondurable material (tin, plastic foil, community integration, a social determinant
health and housing ministries were integrat- cardboard, mud) and without sanitation or of health. Health is an important prerequisite
ed in many countries, reflecting a synergistic sewage disposal facilities, all of which have to social inclusion. When people suffer poor
relationship. Improving housing boosts direct negative health impacts. health, participation in the wider community
health; and investing in health assures can become challenging, thus fostering
employability and, therefore, helps people Unaffordable and/or inadequate housing isolation rather than cohesion, undermining
to access and maintain adequate housing. is also a major risk factor for mental health communities and having negative health
problems. Consistent evidence across the impacts on individuals. Cohesion is further
Many factors of housing have a critical WHO European region finds that people undermined by insecure housing. Where
influence on health, including location who cannot afford rent or mortgage costs are high, length of tenure is short or
and design; the standard of construction payments have elevated risks of depression protection from eviction is low, communities
and maintenance; amenities and service and suicidal thoughts. Across Europe, it is experience high levels of turnover and
equipment, such as hygiene installations or estimated that as many as 1 in 50 000 erosion of social and support networks.
heating; and the match of a given dwell- people experience homelessness at some
ing with the residing household. Mental point in their lives. In extreme cases, if Integrating health and housing concerns
health is also impacted by both safety of people become homeless, even for short and investing in affordable housing that is
the neighbourhood and the security of the periods of time, they face substantial risks energy efficient, supplied with basic services
housing contract. Poor health can make of violence, sexually transmitted infections (water, sanitation, energy, ventilation),
meeting housing costs very difficult, and and chronic noncommunicable diseases. adequately spaced and well constructed
many find themselves forced into unsuitable Homelessness has a negative impact on can strengthen individual and community
or temporary accommodation that is not health, particularly mental health, making it health and well-being, reduce inequalities,
beneficial for recovery and well-being. difficult to break out of this vicious cycle. increase productivity at work and school,
Ensuring that housing remains affordable and boost the construction market and the
Rural communities, the urban poor, migrants, contributes to the reduction of homeless- local economy.
refugees and other vulnerable groups (e.g. ness. Providing adequate and affordable
children and youth, women, and the elderly) housing for vulnerable groups is mutually
have the highest health risks associated beneficial for both housing and health minis-
with inadequate living and housing condi- tries, dramatically reducing treatment costs in
World Health Organization 5Synergy between sectors:
collaboration to promote sustainable
development and health
How can the sectors
work together?
Health 2020 provides a platform for joint KEY AREAS TO EXPLORE TOGETHER INCLUDE:
working between the housing and health
sectors. As housing is a setting that affects • developing joined-up policy responses
virtually all population groups, actions in to support target populations, particu-
the housing sector can have an immense larly during crises and times of economic
impact on population health. Working uncertainty;
together, we have the power to intervene • developing joint regulatory frameworks
to address some of today’s greatest health that enable and promote accountability
challenges, including health inequalities for the conditions and affordability of
and social exclusion, while ensuring that housing and prevent discrimination within
individuals and communities are able to the housing market;
fulfil their highest potential. • jointly targeting urban and rural areas
of highest deprivation, where vulnerable
groups are most likely to live; and
• working together to address inequalities
associated with poor housing, including
gender inequalities.
What can housing do • Ensure that the right to housing is met, reducing the catastrophic health consequences
of homelessness.
to make a difference • Set and enforce minimum housing standards, reducing the number of health problems
to health? and thereby reducing the risk of payment problems.
• Work with the public and private housing sectors to ensure that the need for affordable
housing is met to reduce homelessness and substandard conditions.
• Protect people from homelessness, particularly unfair eviction or foreclosure, by
improving the stability and protection of housing contracts, thus reducing negative
health impacts.
• Prioritize upgrading homes in poorer areas: improving energy and water efficiency,
reducing fuel poverty, supporting better community integration and mitigation of
climate change.
6 Health 2020: Housing and healthCollaborating to improve the
well-being of people and communities
THE CHALLENGE THE RESPONSE NEEDED
Ensuring that housing stock promotes Ensuring regulatory frameworks that provide for housing, particularly
health and well-being in the rental sector, to meet minimum standards, and that health is
not put at risk by housing conditions
Working together to monitor the impact of housing policies on
health and health inequalities
Supporting upgrades and improvements to keep housing
appropriate for the changing needs of the population, particularly
in areas of deprivation
Preventing housing insecurity Working together to identify and strengthen the safety net for those
and overcrowding who face housing difficulties, such as home loss or changes in cir-
cumstances that make their homes no longer suitable
Working with other key sectors to establish social housing guarantees
to support those who cannot afford to pay deposits and to incen-
tivize the social housing rental sector, such as through tax breaks to
owners
Utilizing interventions, such as rent control committees and regula-
tion of utility costs, to ensure that housing is affordable
Ensuring that access to housing is equitable Strengthen communication between relevant partners (to identify,
and that no groups face discrimination support and protect vulnerable populations)
Regulate and monitor to protect groups at risk of discrimination (fam-
ilies with children, minority groups, women, and others).
Working together to adapt existing housing stock to meet the care
needs of people with disabilities and an ageing population
Introduce safe and reliable reporting measures so that discriminatory
practices can be reported without fear of repercussions
What can health do • Work with public, social and private housing providers to ensure that the health
and social needs of the population are a primary consideration in housing design,
to make a difference construction, and maintenance.
to housing? • Evaluate the impact of housing policies on health and health inequalities, including
the opportunities for health gains.
• Increase access to prevention and treatment in mental health services.
• Provide training on health aspects of housing for housing experts.
• Provide evidence on what works and minimum housing standards from a
health perspective.
World Health Organization 7Using Health 2020 as a platform
for joint work: a political mandate
and evidence base
The Health 2020 policy framework has a low incomes, closely related to affordability
political mandate. It has been adopted by all of heating and low-quality housing. Larger
Reducing health inequalities
WHO European Region Member States and households, especially those with low
To reduce health inequalities, the following
can be adapted to the different settings and incomes, regularly face overcrowding issues.
should be addressed.
realities that make up the Region. It describes Water and sanitation in housing is also an
how health and well-being can be advanced, issue of concern in some parts of the region,
sustained and measured through action that as is close proximity of housing facilities
LIFE-COURSE STAGE
creates social cohesion, security, a good to waste dumps and waste-burnings sites.
• Ensure that children can grow up in safe
work–life balance, good health and good Reducing carbon emissions from buildings
and secure housing with access to services
education. It calls upon the health sector is also a core concern of housing ministers:
and outside spaces.
to reach out to the many different actors increasing energy efficiency will reduce the
• Monitor the ability of young people
within and outside government and provides cost of keeping houses warm, reduce damp-
to transition from family homes to
inspiration and direction on addressing the ness and, in effect can reduce winter deaths,
independence, with particular focus for
complex health challenges of the 21st centu- particularly among older populations, and
those leaving care.
ry. The framework confirms values, is based respiratory diseases among young children.
• Guarantee the availability of housing suitable
on evidence and identifies strategic direc-
for older people and those with disabilities,
tions and essential actions. It builds on the There are also important gender dimen-
and support home modification to enable
experiences gained through previous Health sions relating to the influence of housing
independent ageing and home care.
for All policies and guides the actions of both on health. For example, female-headed
Member States and the Regional Office. households tend to be more likely than those
WIDER SOCIETY
headed by men to move into and remain in
• Create partnerships with house builders
Inadequate housing is responsible for more poor-quality housing. Single-parent families,
and providers.
than 100 000 deaths each year in the WHO the vast majority of which are headed by
• Support for local governments to provide
European Region. Housing that is poorly women, are also particularly likely to struggle
housing services.
located, constructed and/or maintained can with housing affordability. Making housing
cause or contribute to preventable diseases more affordable, ensuring that houses
BROADER CONTEXT
and injuries, including respiratory, nervous remain within reach of households with a
• Long-term planning and acknow-
system and cardiovascular diseases, and single adult as head and ensuring that
ledgment of lifestyle trends to ensure
cancer. The environmental health inequality housing meets adequate standards would
that housing stock meets needs.
report from the WHO Regional Office for reduce social inequalities and gender
Europe provided an assessment of six hous- inequalities, as well as health inequalities.
SYSTEMS
ing dimensions: water, bath/shower, toilet,
• Ensure adequate provision of housing in
dampness, crowding and maintenance of Health 2020 recognizes the housing sector
terms of quantity and quality.
housing warmth in winter and coolness in as a co-producer of health and a partner
• Monitor to assure that housing remains
summer. It found that inequities in housing in supporting the development of healthy
affordable for all.
provision exist in almost all European people, families and communities. Without
• Create systems to assist with the moder-
countries and are mostly driven by socio- healthy homes, attempts to improve public
nization of homes.
economic determinants. health will always be limited. Only through
• Provide protection against unfair eviction
working with the housing sector can health
and foreclosure.
Housing plays a key role in health and health and well-being truly be maximized.
• Monitor inequalities across tenures.
inequalities. Its impact is far reaching, directly
• Promote the mandatory provision of basic
through housing conditions and indirectly
services (water, energy, heating) even if
through issues such as proximity to services,
households cannot afford utility bills.
schools and public transport. In the WHO
European Region, the most frequent damp-
ness problems are faced by households with
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION | REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE
UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 E-mail: contact@euro.who.int
Web site: www.euro.who.intYou can also read
