Unstable Housing and Children's Health Risks

Even mild forms of instability like being behind on rent are associated with poor health in both children and parents.

Housing instability can take many forms, including homelessness, multiple moves, or excessive costs for rent/utilities, and may contribute to racial and ethnic health disparities. Whether milder forms of housing instability such as being behind on rent payment affect child health outcomes has not previously been studied.

In a multisite study conducted in urban primary clinics and pediatric emergency departments, over 22,000 low-income parents of children aged ≤48 months were surveyed about housing instability and health status in the past 12 months.

Thirty-four percent of parents reported unstable housing: 27% indicated being behind on rent, 8% having ≥3 moves in the past year, and 12% current or previous homelessness. There was little overla…

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Unstable Housing and Children's Health Risks

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Reviewing Author