Factors Affecting The Health Of Children Include The Cost, Quality, Tenure

Factors affecting the health of children include the cost, quality, tenure and stability of the housing, along with the neighbourhood environment in which the child resides.
The elderly
Longevity of society in the developed world has increased over the past century. However, studies have established that lifespan is positively influenced by living in appropriate, affordable and safe housing of good quality. Housing is linked to many of the twelve determinants of an elderly person's health as identified by international health committees, including physical environment, social environment, lifestyle and health care, income and social status.
Poor housing contributes towards greater mortality rates among the elderly in winter, and greater incidences of avoidable accidents within the home and the local neighbourhood. High susceptibility to illnesses, particularly respiratory problems, associated with old age may be greatly exacerbated by inferior housing, and can result in a much higher hospital admission rate and mortality rate than seen in the same age group living in better quality accommodation.
Disabilities
Difficulties in accessing and maintaining housing can be acute for people with physical disabilities. Internationally, there are definite obstacles with regards to affordable housing deficiencies, and physically disabled individuals confront specific barriers in securing and retaining safe and suitable accommodation. By the 1970s, advances in medicine and technology began to prolong the lives of physically disabled adults, however, housing for these individuals was primarily limited to nursing homes; a problem which still exists. As a result of this shortage of appropriate housing, many of these people remain in long-term care facilities rather than living independently, regardless of their specific disability.
Homelessness
The relationship between homelessness and mental and physical health are irrefutable. Regardless of geography, homelessness is associated with higher incidences of accidental and non-accidental trauma, addictions, sexual assault, and a plethora of physical health conditions, including tuberculosis, skin infections and conditions, and poor blood circulation (Curtis, 2004). Rates of mental illness among the adult homeless population within the developed world are estimated at between 10 and 50 per cent. In a relatively recent study conducted among the homeless male population of Toronto, Canada, mortality rates were significantly higher compared to other Toronto social groups. Mortality rates were established at eight times higher among men aged 18 to 24 years, four times higher among men aged 25 to 44 years, and twice as high among men aged 45 to 64 years (Hwang, 1999).
Countless studies have previously determined a specific connection between homelessness and severely diminished health levels among any given population (Hwang, 1999).