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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Public housing, public health: health needs of public housing tenants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the health needs of public housing tenants, measured in terms of self-reported health status, health risk factors and expressed need for health risk reduction intervention. METHOD: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a randomly selected sample of public housing tenants in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. RESULTS: Of 463 contactable tenants, 329 consented to participate in the study. Participants were 2.5 times more likely to rate their health as fair or poor relative to the community generally, and visited a doctor twice as often. The prevalence of smoking was more than twice that of the community generally, and the prevalence of falls was approximately three times greater. Risk of injury due to domestic violence was approximately six times greater, and the risk of injury due to violence in other locations was more than double that in the community. Between a quarter and a half of the participants requested support to reduce their health risks. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that public housing tenants are one of the more severely health-compromised groups in the Australian community. IMPLICATIONS: An urgent need exists for public health initiatives that are directed at improving not only the current markedly poorer health status of public housing tenants, but also the greater prevalence of health risk factors that predict a likely continuation of such differentials into the future.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Housing conditions and respiratory health in a Boston public housing community.

OBJECTIVES: To determine frequency of and possible associations between environmental housing factors and self-reported respiratory symptoms in public housing. METHODS: We used a community-participatory method in which trained residents conducted in-person interviews with a random sample of 53 households in one housing development in Boston, Massachusetts. RESULTS: Environmental factors suspected of affecting respiratory health that were reported by more than 30 percent of respondents included: Moisture (43 percent), mold (43 percent), cracks in walls, floors and ceilings (49 percent), sewage leaks (33 percent), unexplained odor (35 percent), use of air fresheners (91 percent), use of gas ovens for heating (38 percent), no vent for the oven (74 percent), stuffy air (66 percent), overheating at least part of the winter (73 percent), cockroaches (70 percent), rodents (40 percent), pets (39 percent), frequent renovations (40 percent), repeated requests for repairs (52 percent), dust from construction (45 percent), use of more than three hazardous household products (32 percent), vehicle traffic nearby (81 percent), and smoking in the household (57 percent). Forty percent of respondents reported having asthma. Respondents also reported that 56 percent of their children had asthma. Forty percent of respondents reported wheeze and 48 percent reported coughing or sneezing episodes in the preceding month. We found the following positive statistically significant associations, adjusted for age, sex, Black or Hispanic origin, and years lived in public housing: wheeze with moisture problems (OR = 4.8; CI = 1.2, 19.3), sewage leaks (OR = 6.3; CI = 1.3, 30.3), odor (OR = 7.5; CI = 1 .4, 39.0), cracks in walls,floors and ceilings (OR = 8.6; CI 1.9, 38.0), and frequency of renovations (OR = 9.8; CI = 1.8, 54.4); cough with moisture problems (OR = 5.3; CI = 1.3, 20.8), stuffy air (OR = 4.4; CI = 1.2, 16.7), cockroaches (OR = 5.4; CI = 1.2, 24.2), smoking (OR = 5.0; CI = 1.2, 20.5), odor (OR = 10.9; CI = 2.3, 53.0), cracks in walls, floors and ceilings (OR = 6.2; CI = 1.8, 22.3) and frequency of renovations (OR = 4.4; CI = 1.1, 17.5); and sneeze with cockroaches (OR = 5.2; CI = 1.1, 24.2), stuffy air (OR = 6.3; CI = 1.5, 26.5), cracks in walls, floors and ceilings (OR = 6.3; CI = 1.7, 23.1), repeated requests for repairs (OR = 5.6; CI = 1.4, 21.5), and construction dust (OR = 15.6; CI = 2.2, 112.3). CONCLUSIONS: Housing conditions that affect respiratory health were common in this public housing development. Self-reported rates of respiratory symptoms and asthma were extremely high. Statistical associations between housing conditions and respiratory symptoms in the preceding month were frequently positive and sometimes statistically significant. Engaging community residents strengthened the research process.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Use of formal and informal sources of mental health care among older African-American public-housing residents.

BACKGROUND: Elderly residents of public housing have high rates of psychiatric disorders, but most of those in need of care do not use any mental health service. This study examines the use of formal and alternative informal sources of mental health care in a sample of elderly African-American public-housing residents. METHOD: Data from an epidemiological survey of six Baltimore public-housing developments for the elderly (weighted N = 818) were analysed to examine the utilization of mental health services by older African-American residents. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine correlates of using formal and informal sources by those needing mental health care. RESULTS: Thirty-five per cent of subjects needed mental health care. Less than half (47%) of those in need received any mental health care in the previous 6 months. Residents in need were more likely to use formal (38.5%) than informal sources (18.6%) for care. The strongest correlates of using formal providers were substance use disorder (OR = 15.62), Medicare insurance (OR = 10.31) and psychological distress (OR = 10.27). The strongest correlates of using informal sources were perceiving little or no support from religious/spiritual beliefs (OR = 21.65), cognitive disorder (OR = 19.71) and having a confidant (OR = 15.07). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to elderly African-Americans in general, those in public housing rely more on formal than informal sources for mental health problems. Nevertheless, both sources fail to fill the gap between need and met need. Interventions to increase identification, referral and treatment of elderly public-housing residents in need should target general medical providers and clergy and include assertive outreach by mental health specialists.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1999

Marijuana use among minority youths living in public housing developments.

Youths residing in public housing developments appear to be at markedly heightened risk for drug use because of their constant exposure to violence, poverty, and drug-related activity. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model of marijuana etiology with adolescents (N = 624) residing in public housing. African-American and Hispanic seventh graders completed questionnaires about their marijuana use, social influences to smoke marijuana, and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics. Results indicated that social influences, such as friends' marijuana use and perceived ease of availability of marijuana, significantly predicted both occasional and future use of marijuana. Individual characteristics such as antimarijuana attitudes and drug refusal skills also predicted marijuana use. The findings imply that effective prevention approaches that target urban youths residing in public housing developments should provide them with an awareness of social influences to use marijuana, correct misperceptions about the prevalence of marijuana smoking, and train adolescents in relevant psychosocial skills.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Psychosocial predictors of cigarette smoking among adolescents living in public housing developments.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents residing in low-income public housing developments in inner-city regions may be particularly vulnerable to a variety of risk factors associated with cigarette smoking. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the aetiology of cigarette smoking among adolescents living in public housing developments. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: We examined predictors of smoking from four domains: background characteristics, social influences, behavioural control, and psychosocial characteristics using a sample of seventh graders (mean age 12.9 years) who reside in public housing developments in New York City (n = 624). The addresses of participants in a larger investigation of the aetiology and prevention of smoking were checked to determine if they lived in one of 335 public housing developments in New York City. All participants living in public housing developments were included in the current study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: African-American and Hispanic students completed questionnaires about their cigarette use, social pressures to smoke, smoking attitudes, smoking knowledge, and smoking resistance skills. Students also provided information on demographic and behavioural control (such as church and school attendance). RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses indicated that social influences from friends and family members predicted smoking. Psychosocial characteristics such as advertising resistance skills, anti-smoking attitudes, and refusal skills lowered the odds of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that smoking prevention approaches targeted at these young people should increase their awareness of social pressures to smoke, correct misperceptions about the prevalence of smoking among friends, and teach relevant psychosocial skills.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The Psychogeriatric Assessment and Treatment in City Housing (PATCH) program for elders with mental illness in public housing: getting through the crack in the door.

Psychogeriatric Assessment and Treatment in City Housing (PATCH) is an outreach program targeting elderly public housing residents who need mental health care. The PATCH model relies on educating housing personnel to serve as case finders, providing in-home psychiatric evaluation and treatment, and addressing medical and social comorbidities through case management by psychiatric nurses. An examination of PATCH interventions suggests that the program's success is due to its emphasis on: (1) educating patients, housing personnel, and caregivers about patients' illnesses and need for treatment and support; and (2) coordinating care among housing staff members, patients' caregivers and their primary medical providers.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Psychosocial determinants of alcohol use among minority youth living in public housing developments.

Youth residing in low income, inner city, public housing developments might be extremely vulnerable to psychosocial risk factors associated with alcohol use. In this study, we developed and tested a model of alcohol etiology with 624 African-American and Hispanic 7th graders residing in public housing developments. The students completed questionnaires concerning their alcohol use, social influences on their drinking, their drinking attitudes and knowledge, their psychosocial skills, and demographic and behavioral control information. Logistic regression analyses indicated that social influences from adults, friends, and family members predicted alcohol use. Individual psychosocial characteristics, e.g., drinking refusal, lowered the odds of drinking. These findings imply that effective prevention approaches targeting minority urban youths residing in public housing developments should provide them with an awareness of social influences to drink, correct misperceptions concerning the prevalence of drinking, and train them in relevant psychosocial skills.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity and health promotion for older adults in public housing.

INTRODUCTION: Designing health promotion and disease prevention (HPDP) programs for older residents of public housing is hampered by a lack of information about residents' needs and interests. This study addressed whether residents have greater needs for lifestyle modification or for preventive care and assessed interest in programs emphasizing physical activity. METHODS: Older residents (n = 199) of public housing facilities in Seattle were surveyed to assess HPDP needs. A comparison of residents with older HMO enrollees (n = 2,289) identified which needs were relatively greater in residents of public housing. Residents' interest in physical activity programs was assessed by interviewing residents and by observing their interest in an exercise class. RESULTS: The majority of residents could benefit from physical activity programs (75% of residents reported less than 60 minutes per week of exercise); fewer residents could benefit from smoking cessation programs (21%) and alcohol counseling (4%). The largest difference between residents and HMO enrollees was the greater need of residents for physical activity promotion. Residents and HMO enrollees reported similar use of preventive care services. Though residents seldom identified physical inactivity as a major concern, residents demonstrated interest in physical activity programs. Eighteen (41%) of 44 residents participated regularly or irregularly in an exercise class offered at their facility. When the class was scheduled to be discontinued, residents successfully lobbied city government to sustain the class. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest promoting physical activity should be a major goal of HPDP programs for older residents of public housing.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in elderly residents of public housing.

BACKGROUND: This study estimates lifetime and one-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders among elderly public housing residents. METHOD: Nine hundred forty-five residents of six public housing developments for the elderly were administered the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the CAGE by lay interviewers. Residents screening positive and a 10% random sample of screen negatives were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) and a DSM-III-R derived algorithm for dementia and delirium. Prevalence rates were estimated based on weighted data from 298 subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of participants screened positive on at least one instrument. Based on the case identification interview, estimated lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 57.6%, and one-month prevalence was 27.9%. Cognitive disorder (10.5%), mood disorder (8.0%), psychotic disorder (4.6%), and substance abuse/dependence (4.4%) were the most common current disorders. Mood disorders (26.6%) and substance abuse/dependence (23.0%) were the most prevalent lifetime disorders. Compared to data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area, public housing residents have higher current rates of mood disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly residents of public housing suffer higher rates of psychiatric morbidity than older people living independently in the community. The high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this growing population of low-income elderly presents a challenge to the delivery of mental health service.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Demolition of high-rise public housing increases particulate matter air pollution in communities of high-risk asthmatics.

Public housing developments across the United States are being demolished, potentially increasing local concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in communities with high burdens of severe asthma. Little is known about the impact of demolition on local air quality. At three public housing developments in Chicago, IL, PM with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 microm (PM10) and < 2.5 microm were measured before and during high-rise demolition. Additionally, size-selective sampling and real-time monitoring were concurrently performed upwind and downwind of one demolition site. The concentration of particulates attributable to demolition was estimated after accounting for background urban air pollution. Particle microscopy was performed on a small number of samples. Substantial increases of PM10 occurred during demolition, with the magnitude of that increase varying based on sampler distance, wind direction, and averaging time. During structural demolition, local concentrations of PM10 42 m downwind of a demolition site increased 4- to 9-fold above upwind concentrations (6-hr averaging time). After adjusting for background PM10, the presence of dusty conditions was associated with a 74% increase in PM10 100 m downwind of demolition sites (24-hr averaging times). During structural demolition, short-term peaks in real-time PM10 (30-sec averaging time) occasionally exceeded 500 microg/m(3). The median particle size downwind of a demolition site (17.3 microm) was significantly larger than background (3 microm). Specific activities are associated with realtime particulate measures. Microscopy did not identify asbestos or high concentrations of mold spores. In conclusion, individuals living near sites of public housing demolition are at risk for exposure to high particulate concentrations. This increase is characterized by relatively large particles and high short-term peaks in PM concentration.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized community trial to increase mammography utilization among low-income women living in public housing.

BACKGROUND: A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a community-based intervention on mammography use among low-income women living in public housing. METHODS: All 41 public housing high-rise buildings were randomized to treatment and delayed treatment (control) conditions. After a cross-sectional baseline survey, an intervention called Friend to Friend was conducted in the treatment buildings by American Cancer Society and building resident volunteers. The intervention consisted of a health professional talk, small group discussions, and an opportunity to request assistance in obtaining a mammogram or mammogram reminder. A second cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure differences in screening rates between the study groups. RESULTS: Participation in the intervention averaged 27%. The study groups were equivalent at baseline. At follow-up, the proportion of women age 50-79 years who reported mammography screening in the previous 15 months was significantly higher in the treatment group (64%) than in the control group (52%). Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a multidimensional intervention which reaches women within their social environment and uses community volunteers can increase mammography utilization among women in public housing.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Privatized management in urban public housing: a comparative analysis of social service availability, utilization, and satisfaction.

This article presents the results of a study that assessed the effect of privatized management on social service availability, utilization, and resident satisfaction in public housing communities. The respondents were heads of household who lived in public housing "projects" in Miami, Florida-more than 90 percent of whom were African American women. A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control groups compared respondent data from privately and publicly managed sites. Publicly managed sites reported more availability of social services, but privately managed sites reported higher levels of use. Implications for welfare reform, public housing demolition or renewal policies, the importance of social services with self-sufficiency efforts, and the need for culturally sensitive social work practices in ethnic minority public housing communities are discussed.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of multiple environmental factors for asthmatic children in public housing.

Nine families of a public housing development in Boston were enrolled in a pilot asthma intervention program designed to gather dense environmental data and generate hypotheses about the relative importance of different contaminants and the viability of interventions. Despite formidable challenges working with this inner-city population, the project team succeeded in gaining active support for the project by forming a partnership with a community-based organization and by building positive relationships between the field team and the residents. Families were provided with physical interventions such as air filters, industrial cleaning and mattress covers to each apartment. Indoor temperature was high and relative humidity low during winter. Insulation of exposed steam pipes did not lower temperature. Cockroach, mouse and pet antigen levels were variable and frequently high in settled dust. Viable fungal spore levels were variable and high in some apartments. Dust-mite allergen levels were below the level of concern. Industrial cleaning led to transient reduction in mouse and cockroach antigen burden. Mattress and pillow covers lowered dust-mite antigen in bedrooms, but not living rooms. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels exceeded ambient concentrations due to use of gas stoves and concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm (PM2.5) were above ambient levels because of smoking. Air filtering systems did not reduce PM levels. Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were above adverse risk concentrations. We hypothesize that our findings are consistent with a multifactorial model for exacerbation of asthma in this population and that no single problem dominates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The health status of HOPE VI public housing residents.

The purpose of this study is to provide new data on the relationship between housing quality and health status for people in five HOPE VI public housing developments around the country. HOPE VI is a federal program to replace or redevelop some of the poorest quality public housing in the country. A special survey of residents of these developments was conducted while they lived in HOPE VI housing before its redevelopment. Data for these individuals provides a profile of the quality of housing and the health status of people in HOPE VI housing before its renovation, of residents of publicly assisted housing across the nation, of other people living below the federal poverty level, and of non-poor people. Previously, the lack of data sets that included both housing quality and health status measures has prevented such an analysis. We examined two indicators of health status-perceived overall health status and medically diagnosed asthma. The health status of HOPE VI residents is decidedly worse than that of others in assisted housing and other poor people, despite their similarity in terms of economic deprivation. The difference in the level of asthma prevalence, a condition that has been tied to various measures of housing quality, is especially pronounced. Our analysis indicates that one major benefit of improving housing quality may be improved health status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A profile of chronic mental and physical conditions among African-American and Latino children in urban public housing.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides a profile of chronic mental and physical conditions among African-American and Latino children in urban public housing communities in Los Angeles, California. METHODS: The study focused on 187 African-American and Latino households with children, 65% of a random sample of 287 households in three urban public housing communities. RESULTS: The findings suggest that minority children residing in public housing are one of the more severely health-compromised groups among under-served communities. Children of Latino and African-American families in our sample are two to four times more likely to suffer from chronic physical and mental conditions than the general population. The top five childhood chronic conditions reported by parents for one or more children in their households were asthma (32%), eye/vision problems (24%), dental problems (16%), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (17%), and depression (8%). CONCLUSION: This study documents significant health disparities in this population and strongly suggests the need for future investigations in similar settings nationwide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Predictors of nursing home placement among elderly public housing residents.

This study examines risk factors for nursing home placement among elderly residents of public housing. Data on residents of six urban public housing developments for elderly persons (weighted n = 881) were analyzed by using logistic regression procedures to determine the predictors of nursing home placement during a 28-month period. Four baseline indicators of need were identified: greater impairment in instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive disorder, high scores on the General Health Questionnaire, and psychotic disorder. Thus, functional status and mental morbidity are major contributors to nursing home placement in this setting.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Dietary intake to reduce cancer risk among African American women in public housing: do sociodemographic factors make a difference?

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the dietary intake of African American women in public housing as related to cancer risk and explores the sociodemographic factors that hinder healthy dietary intake in this population. DESIGN: Demographic and dietary data for this cross-sectional study were collected as part of a Breast Health Education Study. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with study participants to assess the frequency of consumption of specified food items. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Study participants included 202 women 35-79 years old residing in six public housing facilities in Atlanta, Georgia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Univariate analyses were performed to report age, marital status, education level, employment status, income level, and frequencies of food items consumed. Correlation coefficients and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the frequency of food item consumption and selected sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, only 33.7% and 17.9% of the women consumed fruit and vegetables on a daily basis, respectively. Almost two thirds consumed meat daily, while less than a third consumed whole wheat bread and bran cereals daily. A significant proportion of women had a daily consumption of fats, oils, and sweets (13.4%-49.5%). Three sociodemographic factors - young age, low income, and low education--were associated with unhealthy dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to promote healthy dietary intake should be implemented for women in public housing communities to help reduce cancer morbidity and mortality in this population. These strategies should address the barriers to healthy dietary consumption that are faced by women in this setting.

Adult↗