Housing Stability Plays a Key Role in Individual Health and Well Being

​Struggling to pay rent each month can have a negative effect on adult's and children's health. Researchers examined the housing status of more than 22,000 low-income renter families over a 5 ½-year period. Specifically, they asked caregivers questions about their family's housing stability: have they ever experienced homelessness, multiple moves or being behind on rent. The February 2018 Pediatrics study, "Unstable Housing and Caregiver and Child Health in Renter Families," (published online Jan. 22) found that one out of every three low-income renter households experienced at least one form of housing instability, with falling behind on rent being the most common issue. Results showed that 27 percent of low-income renters experienced falling behind on rent, 12 percent had a history of homelessness, and 8 percent experienced multiple moves. Researchers noted however, that there is little overlap between these experiences, with 86 percent of the renters reporting only one adverse housing circumstance. Families who experience unstable housing situations have increased odds of poor caregiver and child health, and they also experience higher rates of child food insecurity as well. Researchers suggest including questions designed to identify housing instability in health screenings so families most at risk among low-income renter households can be offered interventions to help them establish more stable household environments.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds