1444Housing disadvantage in childhood and health: A systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Background Housing has been recognised as one of the important determinants of health outcomes. However, little is known of the contribution of these pathways to children’s health and wellbeing and their pattern of health throughout life. This review aims to provide a synthesis of longitudinal studies linking experiences of disadvantaged housing in childhood to health outcomes. Methods A literature search was performed on four databases including Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from 2000 to 2020. Peer-reviewed longitudinal studies assessing the association between housing disadvantage in childhood and subsequent physical and mental health were included. The methodological quality of selected studies was appraised using the ROBINS-I tool. A narrative synthesis was developed due to study heterogeneity. Results Forty-five cohort studies were included, and no randomised controlled trial met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies was evaluated to have a moderate risk of bias. Across the studies, while many relationships remained mixed, consistent evidence of detrimental impact was identified between: poor housing conditions and mortality; inadequate heating and respiratory illness; frequent residential moves and psychiatric mortality and morbidity. Little evidence is found between overcrowding in childhood and health outcomes. Conclusions Evidence from longitudinal studies indicates that poor housing experience in childhood may impact health later in life. Key messages The findings stressed housing as a key social determinant of child health, and interventions designed to mitigate housing disadvantage may have significant health gains across the life span