The Relationship Between Substandard Housing, Moisture, and Health in Southeastern North Carolina
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- December 10, 2019
- Creator
-
Haddock, Jean Carlson
- Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Public Health Leadership Program
- Abstract
- Much literature exists on the theoretical association between substandard housing and poor health status. Less hard data is available as to the extent of the problem of substandard housing in the nation, in North Carolina, or in the five-county area in Southeastern North Carolina. There is no standard definition of substandard housing, other than the absence of indoor plumbing and the presence of overcrowding. The links between housing in ill repair or damaged by the elements and acute and chronic disease have not yet been fully demonstrated for adults, although some work has been done in children. The major problem affecting both housing and health in southeastern North Carolina is excessive moisture. High water tables, frequent storms and flooding, poor repair, and high ambient humidity all contribute to water and moisture damage. Excessive moisture leads primarily to mold and structural damage, which then leads to an increase in prevalence and severity of respiratory disease as well as other conditions. Little or no government assistance is available to homeowners without the physical and monetary resources to remediate problem housing, and no widespread inspection process is in place. Nongovernmental agencies are beginning to address the problems of repair, new construction, and to train for maintenance. There is opportunity for clarification of a definition for substandard housing, for further study of the extent of substandard housing, and for cohort or matched set studies of the link between housing and health status. An integrated approach is needed to address all aspects of the problem, from health care to assessment and repair of the home. Partners from the Departments of Health, nongovernmental organizations, and the business community must work together for prevention and for remediation.
- Date of publication
- May 2003
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Note
- Paper type: Research or research design
- Track: HC&P
- Advisor
- Swinton, Janet
- Degree
- Master of Public Health
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Graduation year
- 2003
- Language
- Deposit record
- 564d1737-ca9b-4211-9c3e-c1926665c3df
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