Oral

Housing conditions have a significant impact on public health and quality of life. Most people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, where unhealthy and unsafe conditions can increase the risk of disease, injury and death. Residents of substandard housing; low-income children; urban children who live in older, deteriorated housing; the elderly; African Americans and Native Americans; and the poorest Americans are at increased risk for housing-related injury and adverse health effects. In order to implement a healthy homes agenda, it is necessary to conduct research to determine causal relationships between housing and health and safety and identify evidence-based interventions. In December 2007, CDC convened a meeting of experts from across the country to determine the state of the science regarding healthy homes research and interventions. Five expert panels (interior biological agent interventions, interior chemical agent interventions, external exposures, structural deficiencies, and the intersection between house and community) reviewed the scientific literature within their designated work groups to determine the adequacy of intervention research. Each panel developed a report describing interventions that have • Sufficient evidence to recommend implementation, • Some evidence of utility with further research necessary, and • Gaps in existing research. Each panel also prioritized needs for additional intervention research. Results of the panel will be presented in this session.

Session Objectives: Describe results of an expert panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the evidence base for healthy homes interventions including: 1. The strength of evidence between housing and health effects by category: interior biological agent interventions, interior chemical agent interventions, external exposures, structural deficiencies, and the intersection between house and community. 2. Interventions that have sufficient evidence to move toward implementation. 3. Gaps in existing research and priorities for additional intervention research.