The Impact of Housing on Residents’ Health: Research Progress and Prospects

Housing is a key social determinant of health and plays a crucial role in the formation and persistence of health disparities. However, a unified conceptual model that systematically explains the complex relationship between housing and health is still lacking. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest research on the impact of housing on health from five dimensions: housing conditions, neighborhood environment, housing affordability, homeownership, and housing policy interventions. The research methodologies include both quantitative studies based on causal inference frameworks and qualitative studies such as structured interviews, offering an in-depth examination of the mechanisms through which housing affects health. Empirical findings further confirm that housing disparities are a critical factor in health inequalities and highlight the significance of housing improvements in reducing health gaps and promoting health equity. Future research should integrate various housing factors affecting health into a unified analytical framework and further explore the impact of the housing bundle on health. Additionally, advanced research methods should be incorporated, heterogeneity analyses should be strengthened, and more empirical evidence from developing countries should be included to advance this field.