Housing

Poor-quality housing poses a risk of exposure to many conditions that can contribute to poor health, such as indoor allergens that can lead to and exacerbate asthma (the leading chronic disease among children), injuries, and exposure to lead and other toxic substances. Lead poisoning in children leads to irreversible damage that can limit intelligence and reading ability. Most Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, about half of that spent at home; children, especially young children, spend even more time at home.

Resources

  • Across America, Differences in How Long and How Well We Live

    Where we live, work, learn and play dramatically affects our health—for better or for worse. Across America and within every state, there are differences in how long and how well we live. This map and accompanying chart show the highest and lowest life expectancy rates (based on county-level data) found in each state and the District of Columbia.

  • Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America

    This Commission report, Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America, describes the Commission's work and provides recommendations for moving forward to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to lead healthier lives.

    See the Report

  • Issue Brief: Housing and Health

    This issue brief examines the many ways in which housing can influence health and discusses promising strategies to improve America’s health by ensuring that all Americans have healthy homes.

    PDF

  • Philadelphia: Where You Live Matters

    Where we live dramatically affects our health—for better or for worse. Community attributes—including the availability of safe and healthy housing, access to nutritious food and safe places to exercise—can have a direct impact on our opportunity to lead long and healthy lives.

More Resources

Perspectives

  • Stories

    Norma Morales

    Sometimes all it takes is one good thing, leading to another, to get on the path to healthier living. At least, that’s how Norma Morales sees it. Meet Norma Morales

     

    James Moon

    Staying healthy by eating right and getting exercise has a lot to do with individual choices. But communities can help—or hinder, says James Moon, an Arlington County, Va., resident. Meet James Moon

     

    More Stories

  • Leadership Blog

    Start Thinking Outside the Doctor's Office

    by Angela Glover Blackwell, Commissioner
    June 19, 2009

    As a contributor to The Washington Post’s Health Care Rx blog, I was asked to respond to President Obama’s health reform speech to the American Medical Association this week. In my response, “Start Thinking Outside the Doctor’s Office,” I challenge us all to think big about health reform and to consider the connection between our health and the places we live. Read More

    U.S. Surgeon General Report: Healthy Houses Can Lead to Healthier Lives

    by David R. Williams, Ph.D., Staff Director
    June 11, 2009

    Ron Sims understands the significance a home can have in a person’s life. When it was time to move to Washington, D.C. to join the new Administration – he is Obama’s pick for Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) – his wife and kids decided not to leave Seattle. Their home, he says, was simply too important. Read More

    What Will it Take to Make Americans Healthier?

    by David R. Williams, Ph.D., Staff Director
    April 23, 2009

    What will it take to make Americans healthier? If you think the answer is health reform, think again. Read More

    More Blogs

News and Events

  • D.C. Region Health Check Up: Wide Differences Based on Location

    June 30, 2009

    A new report detailing the health of residents in the Washington region shows where you live in the area could add or subtract nearly 10 years from your life. The Washington Council of Governments released a joint report detailing the connection between where someone lives in the region and the quality of their health. Read More

  • EPA, DOT and HUD Announce Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities

    June 16, 2009

    "Creating livable communities will result in improved quality of life for all Americans and create a more efficient and more accessible transportation network that services the needs of individual communities. Fostering the concept of livability in transportation projects and programs will help America’s neighborhoods become safer, healthier and more vibrant," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. Read More

More News and Events