A US study found that affluent neighborhoods are at higher risk of fire, but tend to recover faster, with 78% of severely burned areas failing to return to pre-fire temperatures within five years. Higher-income areas also experienced smaller losses in vegetation and recovered temperatures more quickly.
A new FAU study pinpoints non-fatal overdose hotspots in Palm Beach County, revealing associations between overdose locations and built-environment features. Outdoor overdoses were more likely to occur near gas stations, major transportation corridors, and in non-residential areas, with housing instability emerging as a strong factor.
A €8 million Horizon Europe grant will fund a project to develop practical tools and a transferable framework for creating sustainable neighborhoods. The Regenerative Neighbourhood Design Tool will help communities play a more active role in planning decisions, using immersive AR and VR tools to model and evaluate designs.
A new study of 22 million property listings across 30 European countries reveals that nearly half of people on average income can only afford a one-bedroom apartment or studio flat. The study highlights the emerging crisis over affordable housing, particularly in densely populated areas such as towns and cities.
A new McGill University study analyzed six years' worth of data across 309 Canadian neighbourhoods and found that restrictions on short-term rentals result in lower rents. The researchers estimate that these restrictions saved Canadian renters $192.4 million in rent payments each month in 2023.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and other adverse outcomes were associated with greater social needs, such as inadequate food, employment, and education among Black and Latina women. Integrating social needs assessment into postpartum care could improve long-term...
Residents agree that buying a home is harder today than for their parents, with 69% saying hard work alone is no longer sufficient. Generational differences emerge, with Gen Z prioritizing freedom and personal independence over homeownership and family.
A nonrandomized trial found that aggregate neighborhood environmental interventions, including abandoned house remediation, significantly reduced fatal opioid overdoses. Community trash pickup and vacant lot cleanup were not associated with significant reductions or increases in opioid overdose rates.
A Canadian research team led by Dr. Amanda Grenier is investigating how to address the growing issue of older people falling through the cracks. The AIM BIG initiative will bring together experts, community organizations, and older adults to develop evidence-based resources to support advocacy, decision-making, and service delivery.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that foreign investment drove up US housing costs, outpacing supply growth. Cities with lax regulations on foreign investors saw prices rise more quickly than in areas with stricter controls.
The California FAIR Plan, a state-mandated backstop, has seen its footprint grow as average homeowner insurance premiums rose 84% between 2020 and 2026. The plan now covers about 5% of single-family homes, backing approximately 6% of new mortgage originations.
A cross-sectional study found that colorectal cancer screening participation increased after an organized population screening program, but socioeconomic disparities remained. Younger age groups, single households, and lower-income individuals still lag behind in screening uptake.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that major health events increase the risk of housing instability and homelessness among Medicaid enrollees, with 21-35% rise in residential moves and 6-10% increase in homelessness risk. The study suggests that improving healthcare access and quality can also s...
The University of Pennsylvania has been awarded a three-year, $650,000 Institutional Challenge Grant to support a research-practice partnership focused on addressing youth homelessness across the Commonwealth. The partnership aims to examine the effectiveness of state policies in reducing homelessness and create an evidence-based polic...
A cohort study found that poor housing affordability was associated with higher risks of frailty, disability, dementia, and mortality, while poor housing quality was linked to increased risks of frailty, disability, and mortality. Housing insecurity is identified as a clinically relevant social determinant of health among older persons.
New research suggests that federal housing assistance may lead to better two-year survival chances among older men with prostate cancer. The study found a 12% lower risk of death in men who received housing assistance compared to those without it.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University challenges the narrative that rising temperatures will drive Americans away, finding that heat alone isn't driving large-scale out-migration. Instead, population shifts are shaped more by economic opportunity, housing affordability and local quality of life than climate conditions.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that living with friends may alter your gut bacteria, with social closeness driving the exchange of anaerobic microbes. The research suggests that daily interactions at home, such as hugging and sharing food prep spaces, may encourage the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria.
Researchers have developed a new framework to detect possible damage in concealed cold-formed steel construction framing materials, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and artificial intelligence. The technology allows for rapid detection of damage, enabling inspectors to verify only flagged spots without removing walls or cladding.
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that neighborhoods with high housing costs and crowded households are associated with shorter breast cancer survival among women. The research team identified four specific variables that drive this relationship, including financial toxicity and stress.
A new USC Rossier study emphasizes the importance of early intervention in addressing housing instability among students. Key findings reveal that existing efforts focus on already homeless students, and that upstream interventions supporting at-risk families can prevent stability disruptions. The report highlights promising approaches...
A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.
The study found that women in agriculture suffer more from rising temperatures, while simple home modifications such as white-painted roofs and insect screens improved living conditions. The results are also relevant for adapting to climate change in Germany, with a focus on affordable and sustainable measures.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that people with medical debt are more likely to experience housing instability. The research analyzed data from 1,515 US adults and found that those with medical debt had a higher risk of reporting housing instability in subsequent years.
Ending federal support for housing first programs will lead to a significant increase in US homelessness, projecting a 5% rise within a year. This trend is part of an already increasing homeless population, resulting from the cessation of discretionary federal funding.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that children living in poor quality housing missed more school days and achieved worse test scores than their peers. Improving housing conditions, especially reducing damp and overcrowding, may have significant benefits for child health and school outcomes.
Researchers identified key building code features that impact hazard resilience, including prioritizing structural elements like lateral support. Smarter regulation and stronger structures can work together to create safer homes, but local expertise is crucial in places with independent-minded populations.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC's most aggressive housing quality enforcement programs reduced hazardous housing violations in targeted buildings by half, but did not lead to measurable changes in short-run health care utilization. Despite significant housing quality improvements, the a...
Significant financial hardship affects US healthcare workers, with over 1 in 4 direct care/support workers experiencing food insecurity. The study highlights worsening trends in hardship, exceeding previous reports.
FAU will implement evidence-based prevention strategies for at-risk youth, including LifeSkills Training, mindfulness programming, and peer mentorship. The program aims to drive long-term systems change, train professionals, and serve 600 youth annually over five years.
A new study by University of East Anglia finds that housing associations are more effective than government work programmes at helping the long-term unemployed in deprived areas. The research suggests a person-centred approach with strength-based and long-term support is key to success.
A study by Penn State researchers found that using electricity for space heating can significantly reduce on-site household energy consumption. The team also identified other factors, such as the use of electric water heaters and construction methods, that contribute to energy savings.
Engineers at RMIT University have developed cardboard-confined rammed earth, a novel building material that uses locally sourced materials and reduces waste going to landfill. The material boasts one quarter of the carbon footprint of concrete and can be made on-site using cardboard formwork.
A new UCLA-led study finds that government housing assistance reduces the risk of medical bill stress by nearly seven percentage points among US renters with cancer, leading to improved quality of life and reduced poor physical and mental health outcomes.
Purdue researchers found that heat-based hair care routines release significant amounts of airborne nanoparticles, posing serious health risks. The team's study reveals that using typical store-bought hair care products can expose individuals to upward of 10 billion nanoparticles in a single session.
Research by University of South Australia finds that strict regulations on short-term rentals have limited impact on increasing housing supply or affordability. Instead, they may harm local economies and make residential housing harder to find.
A report by ICTA-UAB reveals that 40% of Spanish tenants spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with up to 28% experiencing energy poverty. The study highlights the need for coordinated reforms to address housing inequality and improve energy efficiency.
Research suggests that limiting information available to landlords may lead to increased discrimination against minority groups. Racial disparities were observed after a policy restricting background checks and eviction history was implemented in Minneapolis.
A new study found that the expanded child tax credit reduced anxiety and improved food security and housing stability among young children. However, it excluded many eligible low-income and immigrant families due to minimum income requirements.
A new study found that providing housing and supportive services without requiring drug treatment is a surprisingly cost-effective approach to helping unhoused people with opioid use disorder. The 'housing first' model output showed that people with stable housing are more likely to enter treatment for opioid use and have a higher like...
A new study by the Complexity Science Hub questions Rotterdam's 'balanced neighborhoods' policy, finding little evidence of stronger community ties despite efforts to mix income groups. The research highlights the risks of gentrification and displacement of low-income communities.
Researchers used geospatial neighborhood and housing data to predict lung function among children with asthma living in homes with more roaches and rodents. The study highlights the impact of environmental exposures on asthma health disparities among Black and Latino children.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that large-scale solar farms have a complex impact on nearby property values. Agricultural land within two miles of the site saw a 19.4% increase in value, while residential homes lost an average of 4.8%. The negative impact was more pronounced in counties with conservative leanings.
A University of Cincinnati study found large, opposite moves in housing prices between low-income and high-income communities when analyzing police budgeting. Low-income areas saw a 13% increase in housing prices after increasing police spending, while high-income areas saw a 14% decrease.
A groundbreaking database of over 55,000 housing measurements from around the globe supports research on correlations between housing size and inequality. The study examines patterns of inequality and their social consequences in human society.
The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation has committed $600,000 to increase bystander CPR and AED education through the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement. This initiative aims to prepare coaches, athletes, and sports leagues officials to respond immediately in cardiac emergency situations.
A new study highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, with residents emitting significantly less carbon than the national average yet suffering disproportionately due to historical and systemic inequalities. Social workers are essential in driving society toward a future that reduces dependen...
A new study found that a 2018 US public housing smoking ban led to reduced hospitalizations for cardiovascular problems. The ban resulted in modest declines in heart attacks incidence rates and small differential declines in strokes among adults aged over 50.
A RAND report finds California's multifamily housing costs are 2.3 times higher than Texas, driven by long permitting times and large local development fees. The state's housing market is also characterized by high land costs, expensive labor, and seismic safety standards.
Research reveals housing instability, parental mental health, and social isolation are major drivers of child food insecurity. Long-term health consequences also arise from vulnerable households.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found no differences in in-hospital deaths or hospital admission rates between people experiencing homelessness and housed patients with severe COVID-19. However, those experiencing homelessness were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or intubated.
Differences in coinsurance rates associated with racial and ethnic disparities in out-of-pocket spending for maternity care. Changes to health plan benefit design could improve equity in maternal healthcare access and outcomes.
A new method developed by Osaka Metropolitan University accurately predicts housing prices in Osaka City, with neighborhood perception being a key factor. The approach achieves nearly 75% accuracy by combining existing property data with machine-learning-processed street view images.
The University of Texas at Austin will host a real estate industry panel on February 13, exploring risks and opportunities in the sector. The event will discuss population booms, housing affordability, and the impact of AI-driven economic shifts on real estate investment.
The partnership allows for the expansion of on-site fitness programs at senior living communities across the Boston metro area, providing access to high-quality fitness resources and preventative health programs. The Get Movin' program teaches senior residents how to improve their health through balance, mobility, cardiovascular endura...
A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.
The number of autistic individuals receiving federal housing support grew significantly between 2008 and 2016. Most lived in urban areas, with 65% residing in extremely low-income households.
A study published in Pediatrics found that nearly 25% of youth in Denver experienced homelessness or housing insecurity in 2021. The study used combined datasets and collaboration with agencies to estimate the true scope of the problem, highlighting a lack of resources due to undercounting.
Research reveals more American cities are struggling with people living without running water due to unaffordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis. The study found that households of color were disproportionately affected, with 40% of Philadelphia's population but 66% of those without access to running water in 2021.