One in 12 children in Britain are at increased risk of respiratory diseases due to bad housing
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《英国医生杂志》
One in 12 children in Britain are at increased risk of respiratory diseases as a result of bad housing, a report on the impact of housing on child health has said.
The report, Toying With Their Future, which was published this week, says that more than one million children in Britain are growing up in overcrowded, unfit, or emergency housing—conditions associated with serious health problems and poor education. The report, based on research done by the housing charity Shelter, showed that one in 12 children in England, Wales, and Scotland were at increased risk of developing diseases such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, or asthma because of their poor housing.
The report brought together findings from previous research studies and research specially commissioned by Shelter to investigate the impact of different components of poor housing (overcrowding, temporary accommodation, and unfit conditions) on children抯 health. The researchers found that one million children were living in housing that was damp, cold, or infected or in temporary accommodation. Children with asthma were twice as likely to be living in damp housing as children without asthma. In addition, children living in poor housing were more likely to experience disturbed sleep, accidents, and infectious diseases.
Homelessness among families with children had increased by 17% since 1997. Children in homeless families living in bed and breakfast hotels were twice as likely to be admitted to accident and emergency departments with burns and scalding as children living in permanent accommodation. An estimated 11% of childhood accidents were considered to result from poorly designed housing or dangerous fittings. Children who were homeless missed an average of a quarter of their schooling.
The report recommended that the government should make a commitment to ending poor housing for children within a generation. To help it to achieve that aim, Shelter has launched a campaign—the Million Children Campaign—that will use various activities, including working with health specialists, over the next two years to highlight the effects of poor housing on child health. The charity is also commissioning further research, surveys of people living in poor housing and polls of health professionals and the public on the issue.
Adam Sampson, director of Shelter, said: "There is a hidden housing crisis in Britain, and over a million children are suffering the devastating consequences of this on their health, their education, and their chances in life. It is time for housing to be put back up the political agenda, along with education and health, where it belongs." He pointed out that the price of housing had increased more than other commodities; since 1960, he said, the price of a loaf of bread had increased sixfold, whereas the cost of an average house had increased by 60 times. Investment in social housing was now only half the level of a decade ago. The lack of social housing meant that the number of people living in temporary accommodation was currently at an all time high.
Jane Cook, a community nurse in Hillingdon and cochair of the special interest group for health, housing, and homelessness with the Community Practitioners?and Health Visitors?Association, said: "Growing up in poor housing has a huge impact on the immediate health of children and leaves them with long term, chronic health problems. Damp housing is associated with respiratory conditions, and overcrowding increases the risk of infectious conditions such as tuberculosis."
She added: "The solution is improved provision of affordable, decent housing with effective heating, ventilation, and space for children to play. Homeless families should ideally not be moved around in temporary accommodation because this makes it more difficult for them to access consistent health care and for children to attend school."(London Susan Mayor)
The report, Toying With Their Future, which was published this week, says that more than one million children in Britain are growing up in overcrowded, unfit, or emergency housing—conditions associated with serious health problems and poor education. The report, based on research done by the housing charity Shelter, showed that one in 12 children in England, Wales, and Scotland were at increased risk of developing diseases such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, or asthma because of their poor housing.
The report brought together findings from previous research studies and research specially commissioned by Shelter to investigate the impact of different components of poor housing (overcrowding, temporary accommodation, and unfit conditions) on children抯 health. The researchers found that one million children were living in housing that was damp, cold, or infected or in temporary accommodation. Children with asthma were twice as likely to be living in damp housing as children without asthma. In addition, children living in poor housing were more likely to experience disturbed sleep, accidents, and infectious diseases.
Homelessness among families with children had increased by 17% since 1997. Children in homeless families living in bed and breakfast hotels were twice as likely to be admitted to accident and emergency departments with burns and scalding as children living in permanent accommodation. An estimated 11% of childhood accidents were considered to result from poorly designed housing or dangerous fittings. Children who were homeless missed an average of a quarter of their schooling.
The report recommended that the government should make a commitment to ending poor housing for children within a generation. To help it to achieve that aim, Shelter has launched a campaign—the Million Children Campaign—that will use various activities, including working with health specialists, over the next two years to highlight the effects of poor housing on child health. The charity is also commissioning further research, surveys of people living in poor housing and polls of health professionals and the public on the issue.
Adam Sampson, director of Shelter, said: "There is a hidden housing crisis in Britain, and over a million children are suffering the devastating consequences of this on their health, their education, and their chances in life. It is time for housing to be put back up the political agenda, along with education and health, where it belongs." He pointed out that the price of housing had increased more than other commodities; since 1960, he said, the price of a loaf of bread had increased sixfold, whereas the cost of an average house had increased by 60 times. Investment in social housing was now only half the level of a decade ago. The lack of social housing meant that the number of people living in temporary accommodation was currently at an all time high.
Jane Cook, a community nurse in Hillingdon and cochair of the special interest group for health, housing, and homelessness with the Community Practitioners?and Health Visitors?Association, said: "Growing up in poor housing has a huge impact on the immediate health of children and leaves them with long term, chronic health problems. Damp housing is associated with respiratory conditions, and overcrowding increases the risk of infectious conditions such as tuberculosis."
She added: "The solution is improved provision of affordable, decent housing with effective heating, ventilation, and space for children to play. Homeless families should ideally not be moved around in temporary accommodation because this makes it more difficult for them to access consistent health care and for children to attend school."(London Susan Mayor)