Evidence on the need of housing renovation in the next decades

Housing inequalities have posed significant social and health problems in every society. Sick building syndrome has been known to be related to human health. However, the role of housing age, which is related to construction materials and duration maintenance, has not been explored. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relationship of housing built year and individual health and wellbeing in a national and population-based setting. Data were retrieved from United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2009-2010 including demographics, housing characteristics, self-reported health status, biomarkers, and urinary environmental chemical concentrations. Adults aged 20 and above were included for statistical analysis. Analysis involved chi-square test, t-test, and survey-weighted logistic regression modelling. People who resided in housing built before 1990 had higher risks of high blood pressure, asthma, chronic bronchitis, liver problems, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease including stroke, heart failure, angina, and heart attack. Higher values in C-reactive protein, blood lead, blood cadmium, and positive hepatitis B, C, and E antibodies responses and environmental chemical concentrations were observed as well. People who reported an older housing age also reported poorer health outcomes including cardiovascular and respiratory health problems and abnormal values in certain biomarkers. A health and housing policy on housing renovation to improve health and wellbeing of occupants in a more sustainable in the coming decades might need to be considered.