The impact of housing problems on physical, and mental health

Housing is one of many personal, social and environmental impacts on health and health inequalities. Studies have regularly shown impacts on physical health. Poor conditions such as overcrowding, damp, indoor pollutants and cold have all been shown to be associated with physical illnesses including eczema, hypothermia and heart disease. Physical features of housing can also impact on mental health as families try to cope with the stress of living in cold, damp conditions. The mental health impacts of affordability and insecurity have also been documented. This seminar pulls together evidence from Shelter and external sources to address the physical and mental health impacts of bad housing.

Tom Weekes joined Shelter in 2018, working within their research team. There he has worked on research into housing affordability, housing benefits and housing supply.

Previously he worked  for Ipsos MORI joining the Social Research Institute in 2015. He specialised in housing, local government, and political research. In his time at Ipsos MORI he worked to develop the Living Home Standard on behalf of Shelter. He is a member of the advisory group for the Health Foundation’s Young people’s future health inquiry, advising on the health impacts of housing.

Reference 

Shelter (2017) The impact of housing problems on mental health.