The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Health Equity released its 2019-2020 Health Equity Report on October 14.
The report has a special feature on housing and health inequalities in the U.S. and shows the impact of housing status and housing conditions – a key social determinant – on population health and health equity. The report indicates that substantial progress has been made nationally for all Americans on life expectancy, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and influenza and pneumonia. However, health inequities between population groups and geographic areas persist. Key take-aways from the report include:
- Life expectancy for all Americans increased from 68.2 years in 1950 to 78.6 years in 2017; however, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIAN) and Blacks life expectancy was 74.3 and 76.0 years respectively.
- Homeless patients (28%) are significantly more likely to report serious psychological distress than community health center patients (14%) and public housing primary care center patients (16%).
- Children living in subsidized housing units are four times more likely to be in fair/poor health than those living in owner-occupied homes (4.4% vs. 1.1%).
The report findings will help HRSA and its partners to improve health outcomes and address health disparities through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce and innovative, high-value programs.