Health Conditions in Poor Housing

The Problem 

It is understood that one’s socioeconomic status influences their health. In general, such factors as poverty and limited access to decent housing have been blamed for poor health outcomes. For example, Americans who live in poor neighborhoods are more prone to such conditions as diabetes and heart disease because they lack proper access to such facilities as parks and recreational programs (Jones et al., 2009). Additionally, the poor live in food deserts where it is nearly impossible to adopt healthy diets. Basically, poverty triggers various realities that combine to depress human health. Currently, American cities are struggling to deliver affordable housing to their populations. In essence, these cities are grappling with a serious housing crisis that presents implications for human health. The purpose of the proposed study is to identify some of the solutions that the US can adopt as it seeks to improve housing so as to enhance the health and general wellbeing of its citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable. Discussed below are some of the goals and the specific objectives that the suggested solutions are expected to deliver.

Goals and Objectives 

Goal 

The main goal that the programs should achieve is to enhance access to improved housing for poor Americans and eliminate the health disparities borne by the millions who are living in the currently deplorable housing conditions. This goal is indeed realistic as there are various programs that the government is implementing to deliver decent and affordable housing. For instance, in partnership with state authorities and the business community, the federal government is currently financing a number of affordable housing programs. They include the Healthy Homes Demonstration Grant Program, HUD Home Investment Partnerships Grants Program and the National Housing Trust Fund (“Federal Funding of Healthy”, n.d.). As the government brings other stakeholders on board, the US will make remarkable progress in providing decent housing to its poor populations. Consequently, the nation will witness a tremendous improvement in health.

Objectives 

The goal outlined above is rather broad and may be difficult to pursue. There is therefore a need to develop simpler and more specific objectives. Some of these objectives are listed below:

Through increased federal funding for affordable housing, the program will aim to reduce the number of homeless and people living in unacceptable conditions by at least 30% by 2020.

By challenging medical practitioners, the business community and non-governmental organizations to increase their engagement with poor communities, the intervention seeks to lower the prevalence of such illnesses as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease by 20% in two years.

Through a public health sensitization campaign spearheaded by nursing practitioners and physicians, it is hoped that the program will address the mental health problems faced by the community, resulting in a 10% drop in the prevalence of depression.

The objectives listed above are realistic, time-bound, achievable, measurable and relevant. However, in order for these objectives to be accomplished, the various stakeholders must perform their role. More importantly, the objectives will only be attained if such programs as enhanced funding for affordable housing and public education are implemented fully. Combined, the various programs will have a significant impact on the physical health and the general wellbeing of the poor who have historically been ignored and neglected.

References

Federal funding of healthy housing. (n.d.). National Center for Healthy Housing. Retrieved October 29, 2019 from https://nchh.org/resources/financing-and-funding/federal-funding-of-healthy-housing/

Jones, C. A., Perera, A., Chow, M., Ho, I., Nguyen, J., & Davachi, S. (2009). Cardiovascular disease risk among the poor and homeless-what we know so far. Cardiology Reviews, 5 (1), 69-77.