The effects of housing interventions on child health

Housing hazards contribute to considerable morbidity and mortality among millions of children each year in the US, but few interventions are proven to control asthma and lead poisoning. Moreover, there is little evidence that many of the current recommendations to control residential hazards are safe and efficacious. The only interventions that have been found to work consistently are home visitation programs and home modification, such as installment of window guards and carpet removal. Altering the environment to protect the health of children requires pediatrician intervention. New models of cooperation between pediatricians and public health agencies must deal with residential hazards in an integrated manner and cannot be focused on one disease process or one method at a time. With research in more effective environmental interventions and pediatric-public-health partnerships, primary and secondary prevention of diseases from residential hazards may become a reality in the future.