Housing Atlas

Housing experiences and suitability as determinants of health: Population patterns of housing and correlated health risk factors and outcomes

Published: 2019; Released online: 2019

Adequate and affordable housing is an important determinant of health. This report explores the housing circumstances of different population groups, drawing on small area geographic data from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, health surveys, income support payment datasets, and administrative health datasets (e.g., perinatal statistics, potentially preventable hospitalisations, mortality) to examine area-level associations between the housing circumstances of different population groups and between housing circumstances and health outcomes.

By exploring national data about housing circumstances and health at small geographic area levels, this report provides an evidence base for understanding the many and diverse ways in which housing may influence—and be influenced by—health and health inequalities. In particular, data suggest that housing-related factors such as housing affordability may be an important mediator of the relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and health.

Authored by PHIDU

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