Self-reported health outcomes associated with green-renovated public housing among primarily elderly residents

J Public Health Manag Pract. 2015 Jul-Aug;21(4):355-67. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000199.

Abstract

Objectives: Assess the benefits of green renovation on self-reported health of primarily elderly residents of a low-income public housing apartment building.

Design and setting: Using questions from the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, we interviewed residents at baseline and 1 year after green renovation of their 101-unit building in Mankato, Minnesota, comparing self-reported mental and physical health outcomes of 2 sets of residents (all-ages: median, 66 years, n = 40; elder: median, 72 years, n = 22) with outcomes for 2 same-aged low-income Minnesota comparison groups taken from Medicare Health Outcomes Survey participants (n = 40 and 572, respectively).

Study group: Mankato apartment building residents.

Interventions: Green renovation including building envelope restoration; new heating, electrical, and ventilation systems; air sealing; new insulation and exterior cladding; window replacement; Energy-Star fixtures and appliances; asbestos and mold abatement; apartment gut retrofits; low volatile organic chemical and moisture-resistant materials; exercise enhancements; and indoor no-smoking policy.

Main outcome measures: Self-reported health status including Activities of Daily Living and Veteran's Rand 12 (VR-12) survey results; housing condition visual assessment; indoor environmental sampling; and building performance testing.

Results: The all-ages study group's mental health improved significantly more than the comparison group's mental health on the basis of mean number of good mental health days in the past month (P = .026) and mean VR-12 mental component score (P = .023). Sixteen percent fewer all-ages study group people versus 8% more comparison group people reported falls (P = .055). The elder study group's 9% improvement in general physical health was not statistically significantly better than the elder comparison group's decline (6%) (P = 0.094). Significantly fewer people in the all-ages group reported smoke in their apartments because of tobacco products (20% vs 0%, P = .005), likely reflecting the new no-smoking policy.

Conclusions: Green healthy housing renovation may result in improved mental and general physical health, prevented falls, and reduced exposure to tobacco smoke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Conservation of Energy Resources / trends*
  • Female
  • Health Impact Assessment
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / standards
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Minnesota
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Public Housing / standards*
  • Public Housing / statistics & numerical data
  • Self Report*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires