A study of immigrant housing conditions in Commerce City, Colorado

Introduction: Hogares Sanos, Niņos Sanos is a community-based participatory research study, based in Commerce City, Colorado that aims to characterize housing conditions and related health hazards among immigrant families. Methods: In collaboration with community partners, we developed several instruments, including a family health interview and home inspection tool, to assess the prevalence of environmental and injury hazards among 250 immigrant families and indoor air quality for a subset of homes (n=100). Results: Data from the home visits, including interviews, inspections and environmental and biological samples will be presented, including information on environmental lead, indoor air quality (carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and cockroach, dust mite, cat, dog, and fungi antigens in house dust, and safety hazards. We will also present findings based on a "housing risk index" to identify the most potentially hazardous housing, and an "acculturation index" to identify families most at risk for adverse health effects from poor housing conditions. Conclusions: Many immigrant families in Commerce City face a constellation of hazards in their homes and neighborhoods. Innovations are needed to support housing improvements, access to health care, and overall neighborhood enhancement, particularly for families that live outside the reach of existing public health and housing programs.