Citation

Breysse J, Dixon SL, Jacobs DE, Lopez J, Weber W. J. Public Health Manag. Pract. 2015; 21(4): 355-367.

Affiliation

National Center for Healthy Housing, Columbia, Maryland (Ms Breysse and Drs Dixon and Jacobs); Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, Slayton (Mr Lopez); and University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research, College of Design, Minneapolis (Mr Weber).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PHH.0000000000000199

PMID

25679773

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). PARTICIPANTS:: 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.

Language: en