Physical and mental health outcomes following housing improvements: evidence from the GoWell Study

Curl, A. , Kearns, A. , Mason, P. , Egan, M., Tannahill, C. and Ellaway, A. (2015) Physical and mental health outcomes following housing improvements: evidence from the GoWell Study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 69(1), pp. 12-19. (doi: 10.1136/jech-2014-204064) (PMID:25205160)

Abstract

Background: Existing research points towards physical and mental health gains from housing improvements, but findings are inconsistent and often not statistically significant. The detailed characteristics and variability of housing improvement works are problematic and studies are often small, not experimental, with short follow-up times. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact on physical health and mental health (using SF-12v2 Physical and Mental health component summary scales) of four types of housing improvement works—central heating, ‘Secured By Design’ front doors, fabric works, kitchens and bathrooms—both singly and in pairwise combinations. A longitudinal sample of 1933 residents from 15 deprived communities in Glasgow, UK was constructed from surveys carried out in 2006, 2008 and 2011. Sociodemographic characteristics and changes in employment status were taken into account. Results: Fabric works had positive associations with physical health (+2.09, 95% CI 0.13 to 4.04) and mental health (+1.84, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.65) in 1–2 years. Kitchens and bathrooms had a positive association with mental health in 1–2 years (+2.58, 95% CI 0.79 to 4.36). Central heating had a negative association with physical health (−2.21, 95% CI −3.74 to −0.68). New front doors had a positive association with mental health in <1 year (+5.89, 95% CI 0.65 to 11.14) and when provided alongside kitchens and bathrooms (+4.25, 95% CI 1.71 to 6.80). Gaining employment had strong associations with physical health (+7.14, 95% CI 4.72 to 9.55) as well as mental health (+5.50, 95% CI 3.27 to 7.73). Conclusions: Fabric works may provide insulation benefits and visual amenity benefits to residents. Front doors may provide important security benefits in deprived communities. Economic regeneration is important alongside property-led regeneration.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ellaway, Dr Anne and Curl, Dr Angela and Egan, Dr Matthew and Mason, Dr Phil and Kearns, Professor Ade and Tannahill, Dr Carol
• Authors: Curl, A., Kearns, A., Mason, P., Egan, M., Tannahill, C., and Ellaway, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0143-005X
• ISSN (Online): 1470-2738
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 BMJ Publishing Group
• First Published: First published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 69(1):12-19
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
72762	1	SPHSU Core Renewal: Neighbourhoods and Communities Research Programme	Anne Ellaway	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/10	IHW - MRC/CSO SPHU