Citation

Tilburg WC. J. Law Med. Ethics 2017; 45(1 Suppl): 90-93.

Affiliation

William C. Tilburg, J.D., is a Senior Staff Attorney for the Eastern Region of the Network for Public Health Law and the Deputy Director of the Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1177/1073110517703334

PMID

28661307

Abstract

Safe and healthy housing conditions are critical to improving population health, particularly for the most vulnerable - young children, senior citizens, and individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities - who spend more time at home and are more susceptible to illness and injury. Across the country, millions of Americans are exposed to lead, radon, asbestos, volatile organic compounds, pests, mold, carbon monoxide, and tobacco smoke in the home, affecting the air they breathe and the water they drink. These household hazards are also associated with a wide range of illnesses and injuries, including asthma, cancer, falls, respiratory infections, and mental health issues. Legal and policy interventions can assist communities grappling with the adverse impacts of poor housing conditions and improve the health and safety of all residents, including vulnerable populations.

Language: en