Healthy homes promote good physical and mental health. Good health depends on having homes that are safe and free from physical hazards. In contrast, poor quality and inadequate housing contributes to health problems such as chronic diseases and injuries, and can have harmful effects on childhood development. Poor indoor air quality, lead paint, and other hazards often coexist in homes, placing children and families at great risk for multiple health problems. For example:
Lead poisoning irreversibly affects brain and nervous system development, resulting in lower intelligence and reading disabilities.
Substandard housing such as water leaks, poor ventilation, dirty carpets and pest infestation can lead to an increase in mold, mites and other allergens associated with poor health.
Cold indoor conditions have been associated with poorer health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Extreme low and high temperatures have been associated with increased mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Residential crowding has been linked both with physical illness, such as tuberculosis and respiratory infections, and with psychological distress among both adults and children.
It is time for all Africa countries to put provision of affordable housing as a priority and as a way to mitigate the spread of any epidemic among its citizens.
