Perceived Health Problems of Young Single-Person Households in Housing Poverty Living in Seoul, South Korea: A Qualitative Study.

Jisun Kim,Seunghyun Yoo

doi:10.3390/ijerph18031067

Abstract

There is an increased prevalence of housing poverty among urban young adults; however, research on housing poverty and health is lacking. This study examined the effects of housing poverty on the health concepts of young people living alone. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 single-person households, with individuals aged 19–39 years, living in Seoul, the demographic group with the highest housing poverty rate in South Korea. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Based on the health concepts of the respondents, housing poverty negatively affected health in terms of “the occurrence and continuation of anxiety,” “the increase and continuation of lethargy,” “the difficulty in managing daily life and taking care of health,” “the lack of a dependable support person,” and “the difficulty in preventing and treating disease.” The majority of young people experienced difficulties responding to their situations, and their housing poverty was hard to overcome. This study suggests the need to expand healthy housing policies, strengthen housing safety nets, and enhance access to public resources needed for a healthy living.

Highlights

Housing is an essential component of human life and a health determinant that affects the health of individuals and society [1]
This study explored the personal and social backgrounds of young single-households in housing poverty living in Seoul and their strategic response to perceived health problems associated with housing poverty
This study aimed to address housing as a determinant of young people’s health, while drawing implications for establishing policies to promote the health of those affected by housing poverty

Summary

Introduction

Housing is an essential component of human life and a health determinant that affects the health of individuals and society [1]. Emphasizes the health effects of housing with the concept of “healthy housing”—“shelter that supports a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” [2]. In 1961, the WHO Expert Committee on the Public Health Aspects of Housing presented standards for healthy housing. Since 1988, the committee has provided guidelines promoting healthy housing policies [3]. A considerable number of people around the world continue to live in housing environments with inadequate water and sanitation facilities, poor ventilation, excess humidity, and a lack of air conditioning or heat [2]. 9% of the world’s population lives in housing without a sanitary water supply [4]. In 2016, an estimated 3.8 million people worldwide died from indoor air pollution [5]

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion