Policy implications for healthy student housing against pandemics

For many years, the housing environment has been acknowledged as one of the main settings that affect human health. Living and housing conditions are the basis of many factors influencing residential health. Still, to date there is no commonly agreed upon definition of 'healthy housing', and there are still major gaps in the knowledge on how housing conditions may affect health. Epidemiological findings suggest strong associations between housing conditions and health effects. This paper explores the relevance of housing conditions as a key factor influencing mental health, sleep quality, indoor air, home safety, accessibility, obesity, mould growth, hygrothermal conditions and energy consumption, perception of crime, and residential quality.

The quality of housing constitutes the physical condition of housing as well as the perception and actions of the occupants. Assessment of housing quality tends to be based on the physical indicators of the housing environment with less attention to the occupants’ understanding of housing quality. This study explores the housing quality from the point of view of the occupants especially in relation to the concept of ‘healthy housing’. A structured interview was conducted with a number of occupants living in high-density urban housing in order to reveal their understanding of the ‘healthy housing’ concept. The study found the existence of a gap between the occupant’s perception of the healthy housing quality and the factual physical condition of their housing. The occupants tend to evaluate their housing as having good quality, despite the facts found from the observation that some physical requirements of ‘healthy housing’ have not been satisfied yet in most houses. This understanding of ‘healthy housing’ is primarily related to the aspect of cleanliness, while other aspects of healthiness do not seem to get enough attention. These findings become the basis of the discussion on the extent to which the perspective of the occupants should be incorporated in developing programmes for urban housing quality improvement.

Abstract: In Klaten district, leptospirosis cases raised up during 6 years (2006–2013), except in 2012. The healthy houses coverage raised up as well, although some houses still had not met healthy house criteria. The aim of this study was to analyze of house conditions and the rat exsistence affected to the leptospirosis cases in Klaten district. This study was observational analytic study used case control design. This study was conducted on November, 2013–June, 2014 by using questionnaire, interview, and observation. The sample was 60 respondents with 30 cases and 30 controls. The independent variables were the house conditions, house components, sanitation facilities, behavior, and rat existence in the house. Bivariate analysis used chi square test, the result showed that the house conditions (p value = 0.009 OR = 6.882), behavior (p value = 0.017 OR = 6.000), and the rat existence in the house (p value = 0.030 OR = 10.545) were related to the leptospirosis cases. Multivariate analysis used logistic regression test, the result showed unhealthy house conditions was the dominant risk factors that affect to the leptospirosis cases with value of probability about 74,6% and two-fold higher risk compared with healthy house conditions. The suggestion for community in Klaten District is attempting to improve the environmental house health by having a clean and healthy living, such as always to put the garbage away to the waterproof and closed bins and to put the garbage away regularly from house in the evening to prevent rats go into house.Keywords: housing conditions, rat, unhealthy houses, leptospirosis

Background The health and well-being of older people is significantly affected by housing, representing an essential aspect of preventative healthcare in the community. Good quality housing is an important factor in a person’s ability to maintain mental and physical health, as well as sustain optimal quality of life. This is particularly true for older people who may spend more time at home than other demographic groups. This study explores the linkages between housing conditions and the health and wellbeing of older people with the aim to inform housing designers, providers, and policy makers about the key aspects of healthy homes and common housing hazards, affecting older people. Methods The qualitative research programme involved an in-depth stakeholder engagement strategy, with activities including focus groups, diaries, and interviews to place the perspectives of older people at the centre of the work. The research also included a series of case study visits to the homes of patients of an Integrated Care Programme for Older People, where the research team conducted a series of qualitative semi-structured interviews with the patient, as well as a technical and quantitative survey of the home. Results Key themes identified throughout the research programme include overarching themes such as healthy ageing and housing and ageing in place; themes related to the hospital and integrated care, and the local authority; housing conditions and hazards; and built environment issues across the key spatial scales. Conclusion There is a need for better, more accessible data on the housing issues, conditions, and hazards for older people throughout Ireland. Additionally, it is essential to consider the needs of patients with additional care requirements, such as those living with dementia, as the built environment greatly impacts them.

Chapter 9 - Reframing health, environment, and housing

The aim of this paper is to identify key indicators related to the health of families in their homes and surroundings, and so, to understand the importance of inform Peruvian people about the Healthy Housing Initiative promoted by Pan American Health Organization. We have focused on health factors related to housing in different regions of Peru, taking into account the local ways of life, prioritizing the analysis on lower-income socio-economic groups within the cities, and considering that healthy housing is an important component within environmental health. The material presented is resultant of interviews with professionals with experience in the health and housing field, as well as comparing bibliographic information and news with our subjective perception of reality, aiming to reach conclusions and recommendations. Given the status of housing conditions in Peru and their impact on the health of the population, it becomes necessary to encourage the formation of a national network that may bring together various public and private institutions that have been working from different approaches in promoting the improvement of housing and environmental conditions in Peru, in order to complement their capabilities and support each other in their activities. Finally, we believe that healthy housing is a right and an obligation for people, in tune with the right for health and life and it is also a shared responsibility between local governments and the population.

Introduction: Based on the Banyuwangi Regency Health Office, the DHF incidence rate in Banyuwangi Regency in 2022 has experienced a significant increase of 30.14 per 100,000 inhabitants, previously 5.70. DHF can be affected by environmental factors such as mosquito larvae, rainfall, and house conditions. DHF control efforts can be carried out by mapping dengue vulnerability to formulate an appropriate policy. Conversely, the spatial analysis of DHF cases in Banyuwangi is rarely found. This study aims to analyze spatial factors at DHF IR and the relationship between an environmental factor and DHF IR in Banyuwangi Regency. Methods: This study used an ecological study approach. The data used was secondary data from 2020–2022. Data were obtained from Banyuwangi Regency Health Office and Banyuwangi Regency Central Statistic Agency. Moran's I and LISA determined the spatial autocorrelation. Spatial regression was also used in this study. Results and Discussion: DHF IR Banyuwangi Regency had spatial autocorrelation (p-value=0.0010) with clustered patterns (I=0.4789). The pattern of clustering dengue cases in an area could occur because of a relationship with previous dengue cases. Spatial autocorrelation was not found between DHF IR with LFI (p-value=0.4560), rainfall (p-value=0.0610), CBTS villages (p-value=0.1870), and healthy houses (p=value=0.3680). The independent variable in this study did not have a significant relationship with DHF IR. Conclusion: The average DHF IR in Banyuwangi Regency in 2020–2022 had a grouping pattern related to district proximity. LFI, rainfall, CBTS villages, and healthy houses had no significant relationship with DHF IR.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacterial infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can be transmitted from the patient to the surrounding environment including humans, which attacks the lung organ and other organs in the body. Based on the epidemiological triangle, infectious diseases are caused by 3 factors such as agent factor, host and environment. One of the host factors of Tuberculosis is HIV/AIDS, where many Tuberculosis infections are common in people with HIV/AIDS. From environmental factors causing Tuberculosis disease is a condition of less healthy house. Tuberculosis incidence in East Java Province in 2015 amounted to 44,063 which increased from 2014 that is as much as 42,475. This research was conducted to analyze the influence between HIV/AIDS and healthy house case against Tuberculosis incident in East Java Province. This research is a kind of analytical research using non-reactive method. The research sample used is total population consist of 29 regencies and 9 cities in East Java Province. Technical analysis of the research using multiple linear regression test. The results showed that there was a significant influence between HIV/AIDS cases on Tuberculosis occurrence in East Java (p-value = 0,000), and there was no significant influence between healthy house on Tuberculosis incidence in East Java Province. The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant relationship between HIV/AIDS cases and Tuberculosis cases in East Java Province. The HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis cases in East Java need to be improved by the Provincial Government of East Java such as providing information related to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis and screening HIV/AIDS.

The purpose this study is to develop indicators that measure the healthy housing condition of multi-family housing. The major findings are as follow: first, healthy housing was defined by physical, mental, social, and management aspects and proposed the conceptual model of hierarchy structure of evaluation of healthy housing by literature reviews. Second, evaluating items were selected based on literature reviews of existing indicators and preceding studies about both domestic and overseas multi-family housing. The evaluating indicators were identified as a total of 87 evaluating items which were composed of four dimensions and 16 attributes on the basis of the conceptual model. They cover comprehensive scope of the multi-family housing such as unit, building, complex, and site. Third, as the measurement, the 5-point ordinal scale measure was suggested. The evaluating measurement including measure standards, measure methods, and measure contents were developed by each evaluating items. Lastly, the weighting of evaluating indicators was developed by AHP method conducted by survey of an expert group. Items were identified as high contributors or low contributors. The weighting of these items could suggest several evaluations according to the situation. The level of healthy housing condition may be evaluated by both total evaluation and a specific field of evaluation.

The relationship of health and housing has been well documented. There is less said about action that can be taken to deal with poor housing conditions. Environmental Health Officers in UK Government are key actors enforcing legislation relevant to housing conditions. Despite a century of legislative intervention in private sector housing conditions, the English House Condition Survey continues to report an excessive amount of poor conditions, and a particular decline in quality amongst the most disadvantaged in society who are increasingly accommodated in the private rented sector. This paper examines the role of poor housing in ill health and the difficulties faced in enforcing largely reactive legislative, arguing that wider changes are needed if the link between poor health and housing is to be broken.

Background and aim of the work:The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 is a strong reminder that the lockdown period has changed the way that people and communities live, work, and interact, and it’s necessary to make resilient the built environment, both outdoor and mainly the indoor spaces: housing, workplaces, public buildings, and entertainment facilities. How can we re-design the concept of Well-being and Public Health in relation to the living places of the future?Methods:According to the previous statements and scenario, this paper aims to integrate the building hygiene and well-being, focusing the possible responses, both existing and for the new buildings, taking home a strong message from this “period” of physical distancing.Results:The Well-being and Public Health recommendations for a healthy, safe, and sustainable housing are framed into the following key points: 1. Visible and accessible green elements and spaces; 2. Flexibility, adaptability, sharing, and crowding of living spaces, and compliant functions located into the buildings; 3. Re-appropriation of the basic principles and archetypes of sustainable architecture, thermal comfort and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ); 4. Water consumption and Wastewater Management; 5. Urban Solid Waste Management; 6. Housing automation and electromagnetic fields; 7. Indoor building and finishing materials.Conclusions:The Well-being and Public Health recommendations for a healthy, safe and sustainable housing may provide a useful basis for Designers, Policy Makers (fostering tax incentives for building renewal), Public Health experts and Local Health Agencies, in promoting actions and policies aimed to transform living places in healthier and Salutogenic spaces. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Covid-19 had changed the way we perceived our living environment. As people now spent more time inside, indoor quality especially in terms of environmental factors is considered important in future housing. It is not just one of the indicators for healthy housing, but also green housing. The purpose of this study is to investigate Indonesian’s housing satisfaction and preferences towards indoor quality in terms of environmental factors in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The environmental factors indicators used in this study were daylight, air, acoustic, view, and green space quality. This quantitative study used an online questionnaire to collect data. The data analysis compared mean values and gap differences of values for each indicator. The results showed residents were satisfied enough with almost all of the indicators in their current living environment during the pandemic. As for residents’ preferences, daylight quality, air quality, and green space are the top priorities needed to be considered for their dream houses. As for gap differences, it was found that green space, air quality, and acoustic quality needed to be improved, as respondents’ expectations are higher. Understanding housing satisfaction and preferences from the residents’ perspectives in the context of Covid-19 pandemic is considered important, as their demand can motivate developers and other stakeholders to adopt healthy and green building practices. It is hoped that the results of this research can support the studies on future healthy and green housing, especially in terms of environmental factors quality.

Urban health issues still do not get the attention they deserve in discussions of development or environment. Successful “development” is so intimately related to health – to measures that directly or indirectly help individuals, households or communities avoid or prevent disease, injury and inadequate food intake. Beyond an absence of disease or injury, “development” means the achievement of living and working conditions that underpin well-being. Environmental management is also intimately related to health, again in these two senses, either preventing or minimizing airborne, food-borne or water-related diseases and the effects of chemical pollutants and physical hazards, and ensuring good living and working environments that can contribute to well-being. Yet because so many of the measures that promote health and well-being fall to organizations that are not health agencies or do not understand their role as it relates to “health”, so little gets done. There are few measures with greater potential to transform well-being than a well-directed, participatory upgrading programme for “slums” or informal settlements for example, yet this is not seen as a health intervention. Indicators related to health are among the most powerful measures of the success of development and environmental management – for nations, for cities, for groups within cities. With regard to such measures as life expectancy at birth or infant, child and maternal mortality, cities around the world can be among the healthiest places – or among the most lifethreatening and health-threatening. There can also be enormous differentials in health indicators within cities. There are neighbourhoods within (say) Mumbai or Nairobi with health indicators that compare favourably with those in cities in high-income nations – but in each of these cities, around half the population lives in informal settlements and, in most such settlements, the indicators are dire. Urban health issues also do not get the attention they deserve in discussions of urban poverty and poverty reduction. Most official measures of poverty still include no direct consideration of health or of most of the key determinants of health. They attempt to define the income households need for adequate food consumption – but most do not assess the income needed to rent, buy or build safe, healthy housing and the associated infrastructure and services that are key determinants of health (for instance, safe sufficient water, good sanitation and readily available affordable health care). Most national and city governments give a low priority to addressing the social determinants of health. This editorial focuses on four health issues that are highlighted by papers herein – the failure of national and urban governments to address health (and its determinants); the inequalities within cities and between cities with regard to good health; the question of whether and where there is an urban penalty for health; and the measures that city governments can take to address health issues. Readers interested in urban health issues should also note that prior to this issue, Environment and Urbanization has published 86 papers with the word “health” in their abstract. There have been two previous special issues on urban health (Vol 5, No 2 (1993) and Vol 11, No 1 (1999)); and most other issues have dealt with key determinants of health, including Vol 15, No 2 (2003) on water, sanitation and drainage, Vol 16, No 2 (2004) on violence and security and Vol 19, No 1 (2007) on reducing risks from disasters and climate change.

Medan City, the third-largest city in Indonesia, faces significant challenges in managing its public green open spaces (RTH) due to high population density, rapid urbanization, and insufficient green space, which falls far short of the 30% mandated by law. This research assesses the management of public green spaces in Medan through a SWOT analysis, revealing internal strengths such as a Regional Spatial Plan and government commitment, alongside weaknesses like suboptimal management, lack of coordination between agencies, and inadequate regulations. External factors, including opportunities from NGO funding and potential land acquisition, contrast with threats like rapid population growth and misuse of green spaces. Through data collection methods, including focus group discussions, questionnaires, and interviews with key stakeholders, the research identified key areas for improvement in green space management. Strategic recommendations include strengthening policies, increasing public awareness, optimizing cross-sector collaboration, and promoting sustainable urban planning. Additionally, leveraging green spaces for economic growth through multifunctional uses can enhance their value to the community. This study concludes that public green open spaces in Medan City can contribute significantly to sustainable urban development and environmental balance if managed more effectively, with better coordination, stronger regulations, and resource allocation. The findings aim to provide valuable insights for urban planners and policy makers in achieving urban sustainability goals.

Master Planned Community (MPC) Developments are a dominant form of urban growth and housing development. This paper provides a systematic review of the literature on the associations between MPCs and community health. Our review of 39 peer-reviewed journal papers suggested that the MPC physical features (public spaces/facilities, built form, spatial segregation, and location), social dimension (age structure and community development) and governance (private governance and housing tenure) are key players in the health of residents, particularly, their social health. This paper provides valuable information for future research on healthy housing and informs planning and decision-making in housing policy and development.