Health Benefits of Green Public Housing: Associations With Asthma Morbidity and Building-Related Symptoms.

• Autores: Meryl D. Colton, Jose Guillermo Cedeno Laurent, Piers MacNaughton, John Kane, Mae Bennett-Fripp, John D. Spengler, Gary Adamkiewicz
• Localización: American journal of public health, ISSN 0090-0036, Vol. 105, Nº. 12, 2015, págs. 2482-2489
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objectives. We examined associations of several health outcomes with green and conventional low-income housing, where the prevalence of morbidities and environmental pollutants is elevated. Methods. We used questionnaires and a visual inspection to compare sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and asthma-related morbidity among residents in multifamily units in Boston, Massachusetts, between March 2012 and May 2013. Follow-up was approximately 1 year later. Results. Adults living in green units reported 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66, 2.05) fewer SBS symptoms than those living in conventional (control) homes (P < .001). Furthermore, asthmatic children living in green homes experienced substantially lower risk of asthma symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.12, 1.00), asthma attacks (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.11, 0.88), hospital visits (OR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.88), and asthma-related school absences (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.74) than children living in conventional public housing. Conclusions. Participants living in green homes had improved health outcomes, which remained consistent over the study period. Green housing may provide a significant value in resource-poor settings where green construction or renovation could simultaneously reduce harmful indoor exposures, promote resident health, and reduce operational costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]