Clean house can save your health

Few people think about it, but the condition of housing plays as important a role for health as nutrition or sports. Moisture, cold, poor ventilation, and mold are becoming a source of chronic problems, ranging from asthma in children to hypertension in adults.

The authors of the new paper estimate that in Australia alone, eliminating mold and dampness can save the health care system over a hundred million dollars per million residents and give people thousands of years of a fulfilling life without disease. The most noticeable effect is expected from those who live in the most disadvantaged conditions.

Experts pay special attention to the respiratory system. Dampness and fungus in the house increase the risk of asthma, allergies and other lung diseases. It has been proven that home insulation and the installation of proper ventilation reduce the number of hospital visits and reduce the frequency of seizures.

Equally important is the effect on the heart and blood vessels. Low room temperature increases blood pressure, which eventually leads to heart attacks and strokes. Warm and dry housing, on the contrary, helps to keep blood pressure normal and reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes and obesity.

The risk of injury is also associated with housing. Low lighting, slippery floors, faulty stairs, and the lack of simple safety measures increase the likelihood of falls and burns. Even small improvements — handrails, additional lamps or fire alarms — reduce the number of accidents.

The authors emphasize that taking care of housing is not just a matter of comfort. It is a powerful public health tool that can simultaneously reduce medical costs and give people more years of active life.