Cooperative housing under a grant-of-use in Catalonia and health: pre-post analysis.

BACKGROUND: Housing is considered a social determinant of health. In Catalonia and Spain, ensuring affordable housing is challenging and cooperative housing under a grant-of-use emerges as an alternative, challenging traditional housing models. This study aims to quantify its impact on health before and after moving to the cooperative house. METHODS: A longitudinal study of individuals in cooperative housing projects in Catalonia (July 2018-April 2023) was conducted. Data, including sociodemographic, housing information, and health-related details, were collected through baseline and follow-up surveys. RESULTS: Seventy participants (42 women, 28 men) showed positive changes in housing conditions during follow-up. Improved perceptions of health, mental health, and social support were observed. Despite limitations in sample size and short follow-up, initial findings suggest improvements in health. CONCLUSIONS: Cooperative housing under a grant-of-use in Catalonia appears promising for improving health and living conditions. Further research is warranted to explore its full potential as an alternative amid housing challenges in the region.

¿Cómo influye la situación laboral en los efectos de la inseguridad residencial sobre la salud? / How does employment status influence the effects of residential insecurity on health?

OBJETIVO: Analizar los efectos de la inseguridad residencial sobre la salud y si estos son modificados por la situación laboral en personas participantes en el programa Treball als Barris, en Barcelona, entre 2015 y 2016. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal con 469 personas a las cuales se les realizó una encuesta, basal y al año de seguimiento, que incluyó información sociodemográfica, residencial, laboral y de salud. Se construyó una variable de trayectorias residenciales con las situaciones al inicio y después del seguimiento. Luego se realizó un análisis descriptivo, se ajustaron modelos de regresión para estimar el efecto de la inseguridad residencial y de la situación laboral sobre la salud, y finalmente se analizó la interacción. RESULTADOS: La inseguridad residencial afectó principalmente la salud de las mujeres (la razón de prevalencia [RP] de mala salud percibida de quienes se mantuvieron en inseguridad residencial fue de 2,29, con un intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%] de 1,36-3,84, en comparación con quienes se mantuvieron en seguridad residencial), mientras que en los hombres fue la situación laboral la que tuvo efectos significativos sobre la salud (los desempleados sin subsidio ni prestación presentaron RP de mala salud percibida de 3,16, con IC95% de 1,02-6,15, comparados con quienes trabajaban). Además, parece existir una interacción de la inseguridad residencial y la situación laboral en los efectos sobre la salud mental de los hombres. CONCLUSIÓN: La inseguridad residencial es un fenómeno que se ha intensificado en los últimos años, tiene efectos negativos sobre la salud y podría interactuar con otros determinantes sociales, como el empleo, fundamentalmente en la salud mental de los hombres

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyse the effects of housing insecurity on health and whether they are modified by employment status of people belonging to the Treball als Barris programme in Barcelona (Spain) between 2015 and 2016. METHOD: We conducted a longitudinal study using a survey which included sociodemographic, employment and housing status information. This was administered to 469 individuals at baseline and after one year of follow-up. We then carried out a descriptive analysis and fitted regression models to estimate the effects of housing insecurity and employment status on health, and the interaction between them. RESULTS: Among women, we found negative effects of housing insecurity on health (the prevalence ratio [PR] of poor self-reported health among women with housing insecurity was 2.29, with a 95% confidence interval [95%CI] of 1.36-3.84, compared to those in secure housing), while, among men, the main effects on health were due to employment status (PR of poor self-reported health among men who were unemployed without subsidy was 3.16 [95%CI: 1.02-6.15] compared to those who were employed after follow-up). In addition, the results suggest an interaction between housing and employment status on mental health among men. CONCLUSION: Housing insecurity rates have increased in recent years. It produces negative effects on health and can interact with other social determinants such as employment, mainly on men's mental health

[How does the employment status influence the effects of residential insecurity on health?] / ¿Cómo influye la situación laboral en los efectos de la inseguridad residencial sobre la salud?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the effects of housing insecurity on health and if those are modified by employment status of people belonging to "Treball als Barris" program in Barcelona between 2015 and 2016. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study using a survey which included sociodemographic, employment and housing status information. This was administered to 469 individuals attended by "Treball als Barris" at baseline and after one year of follow-up. Then, we carried out a descriptive analysis and fitted regression models to estimate the effects of housing insecurity and employment status on health, and the interaction between them. RESULTS: Among women, we found negative effects of housing insecurity on health (PR of poor self-reported health among women who stayed under housing insecurity was 2.29 [IC95%: 1.36-3.84] compared to those who stayed secured), while, among men, main effects on health were due to employment status (PR of poor self-reported health among men who were unemployed without subsidy was 3.16 [IC95%: 1.02-6.15] compared to those who were employed after follow-up). In addition, results suggest an interaction between housing and employment status on mental health among. DISCUSSION: Housing insecurity rates have increased in last years. It produces negatives effects on health and can interact with other social determinants such as employment, mainly on men's mental health.

The effects of cohousing model on people's health and wellbeing: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Housing is a social determinant of health. Extensive research has highlighted its adverse effects on health. However, less is known about the effects of cohousing typology on health, which has the potential to create lively social networks and healthy communities and environments. We report the findings of a scoping study designed to gather and synthesise all known evidence on the relationship between cohousing and wellbeing and health. METHOD: Using the scoping review method, we conducted a literature review in PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and JSTOR in May 2019 and selected articles published from 1960 onwards, with no geographical limit and no design restrictions. Retrieved articles underwent three sequential screening phases. The results were described through a narrative synthesis of the evidence. RESULTS: Of the 2560 articles identified, we selected 25 full-text articles analysing 77 experiences. All of them were conducted in high-income countries. Ten studies analysed the impact of cohousing on physical and mental health or quality of life and wellbeing. Eight of the 10 studies found a positive association. In addition, 22 studies analysed one or more psychosocial determinants of health (such as social support, sense of community and physical, emotional and economic security) and most found a positive association. Through these determinants, quality of life, wellbeing and health could be improved. However, the quality of the evidence was low. DISCUSSION: The cohousing model could enhance health and wellbeing mediated by psychosocial determinants of health. However, extreme caution should be exercised in drawing any conclusions due to the dearth of data identified and the designs used in the included studies, with most being cross-sectional or qualitative studies, which precluded causal-based interpretations. Because housing is a major social determinant of health, more evidence is needed on the impact of this model on health through both psychosocial and material pathways.