Housing Instability and Socioeconomic Disparities in Health: Evidence from the U.S. Economic Recession.

While a number of studies have observed the effects of housing instability on health outcomes, fewer have emphasized pre-existing socioeconomic disparities in health and the influence of housing instability on subsequent health outcomes in the wake of the economic recession. Using national data on six adult health indictors and foreclosure data aggregated by census tract, this study examines the association between neighborhood housing insecurity and health outcomes, particularly focusing on various income levels and racial groups in about 200 U.S. metropolitan areas after the 2008 housing crisis. Results suggest that high levels of housing instability induced by high levels of foreclosed properties in certain neighborhoods were strongly associated with more health problems among residents, but the results varied according to the income level and the dominant racial group in these neighborhoods. With regard to income levels, adverse health conditions in lower income neighborhoods remained longer and became stronger than those in higher income neighborhoods. The findings also show variation among racial groups: While multiple health problems plagued all income levels in white tracts, more severe and worsening pre-existing health problems appeared in lower income minority tracts. In addition, neighborhood housing instability generated by mortgage foreclosures was strongly associated with heart-related diseases, particularly in middle-income White neighborhoods, and mental health problems, particularly in upper-income Hispanic tracts. Finally, among multiple health indicators, mental health problems were the most common health conditions during the U.S. economic recession. In light of the socioeconomic disparities in health, policy makers should establish effective policy tools that integrate health and urban and housing planning.