Housing and health in Europe : report on a WHO symposium, Bonn, Germany 6-8 June 2001

Abstract

The Symposium reviewed the current status of research and evidence on the interaction between housing and health in the WHO European Region. Beginning with the global perspective, the Symposium progressed to selected topics of the housing6health relationship, discussing current research approaches, their technical results and the implications for both residential health and urban planning. A housing and health study in panel block buildings functioned as a case study for reviewing the practical impact of housing on health. The overall implications of the results were discussed and compared with the housing and health situation in various countries. The review of national situations and research activities revealed many cases of scientific uncertainty, limited data and poor policies. The Symposium reviewed possible approaches to identifying solutions to these problems, such as surveillance systems and long-term housing stock studies, support to the setting of health-related policies, the application of economic principles and the development of methods and survey tools for local authorities to assess their own needs. Finally, the Symposium agreed on a list of recommendations to countries, to WHO and to other bodies such as local authorities and nongovernmental organizations, indicating a way forward for further research and enhanced international cooperation within the field of housing and health