The Effect of Housing Conditions and Living Environment on the Health of Russian Population

Abstract

Poor housing - poses a serious health risk to populations around the world. The aim of the study is to examine the impact of various aspects of housing on the health status of Russians, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors that can mitigate or exacerbate the relationship between housing and health. Comprehensive observation of living conditions of the population, conducted by Rosstat in 2018, was used as an information base for the study. The statistical analysis was carried out using multivariate logistic regression models of the SPSS package. Self-reported health and the presence of chronic diseases were used as characteristics of respondents' health / ill health. Four aspects of housing are considered: physical living conditions, stability, physical and social environment of the place of residence. The results obtained indicate that physical living conditions have a significant impact on the health of Russians: the risk of poor health is associated with the unsatisfactory condition of the walls and roof, lack of heat; the risk of chronic diseases increases with the presence of insects (rodents), air pollution, dust, soot from the street, noise from neighbors, lack of sunlight, dampness (freezing) of the floor and walls; living in highly cramped dwellings increases the risk of ill health. It has been found that health is closely related to the type of home ownership: for those who do not own a home, the likelihood of poor health increases, and for those who live in their own home, but continue to pay mortgages for it, the risk of chronic diseases increases. In addition to the condition of the home itself, its location is an important factor in health. The most important characteristics influencing both self-esteem of health and the occurrence of chronic diseases were the inaccessibility of health services, high crime rates, prevalence of alcoholism and environmental pollution. Some gender differences have been identified. The results obtained indicate the need for a combination of various programs and policies aimed at improving the quality standards of housing, planning the quality of the living environment.