ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the different ways of conceptualising the relationship between housing and health, the main research approaches and associated methodological issues. Research on housing and health can be grouped into three approaches: area-based (ecological) studies, studies of the internal environment and studies of housing in social context. Underpinning these approaches are three conceptualisations of the ways in which housing can impact on health. Most of the research on the mental health impact of housing has considered the impact of housing on social relationships or activities which thereby affect mental health. Individual practitioners and primary care teams can be encouraged to consider the impact of poor housing conditions on health problems in their clinical assessments of patients, helping to identify vulnerable people and families and to encourage or refer them to the schemes and agencies which can reduce expenditure and improve housing by improving energy efficiency.
