A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals a significant connection between housing quality and population health, emphasizing the impact on minority communities. The study introduces the Housing Quality Metric (HQM), a tool designed to predict poor housing conditions at the census tract level. Developed using data from the American Housing Survey and the American Community Survey, the HQM assesses housing quality across three domains: physical inadequacy, housing cost burden, and poor neighborhood perception.
Craig Pollack, a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management, highlighted the importance of this metric in understanding health disparities. “Poor housing conditions can expose residents to environmental risks, including mold, vermin, and inadequate heating, all of which are precursors for long-term conditions like asthma, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease,” Pollack explained.
The study found that higher HQM scores, indicating poorer housing conditions, were significantly associated with negative health outcomes. Census tracts with higher HQM scores had higher proportions of adults reporting fair or poor general health, poor mental health, and poor physical health. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for other factors, underscoring the independent impact of housing quality on health.
Minority communities, often residing in areas with higher HQM scores, face disproportionate health risks. The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for policies addressing housing quality to reduce health disparities and improve overall population health.
See: “New Insights into Connection Between Housing Quality and Population Health” (March 14, 2025)