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Energy efficient homes linked to asthma

A new study by the University of Exeter Medical School found that residents in energy-efficient social housing may have a greater risk of developing asthma. The presence of mould doubled this risk, highlighting the need for residents to properly ventilate their homes to prevent health issues.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironment International·DateDec 11, 2014

Study recommends integrating housing data with health data to improve patient medical care

Researchers found that children hospitalized for asthma are nearly twice as likely to be rehospitalized if they live in areas with high housing code violations. Integrating housing data with health data can help target patients for medical interventions and improve healthcare delivery at the population and patient level.

Gang life brings deep health risks for girls

A study of 188 African American females found that gang involvement is associated with high-risk behaviors such as casual sex partners, substance abuse, and HIV testing. Low self-esteem, emotional problems, and housing instability are also linked to a higher likelihood of gang involvement.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateAug 27, 2014

Affordable housing linked to children's test scores

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that spending 30% of income on affordable housing is associated with improved cognitive development in children, while spending too little or too much has negative effects. Families who invested more in housing spent less on other essential items like books and educational outings.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Housing Economics·DateJun 9, 2014

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita may have caused up to half of recorded stillbirths in worst hit areas

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that hurricanes Katrina and Rita may have been responsible for up to half of all recorded stillbirths in the worst hit areas. The study suggested that the true fetal death toll may even be higher due to the displacement of people from devastated areas.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMay 8, 2014

New global stroke repository offers regional comparative statistics

A new global stroke repository provides regional comparative statistics on stroke incidence and mortality, highlighting significant disparities between countries. The repository aims to inform local and global strategies to reduce the burden of stroke by analyzing gaps in existing data.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Stroke·DateJan 7, 2014

Home-making post-disaster

A recent study by Concordia University doctoral graduate Devora Neumark found that engaging in house-beautification practices can help overcome the traumas associated with domicide. By repeating simple domestic actions, individuals can create a sense of order and rebuild their homes.

Rethinking investment risk

A paper by MIT economist Alp Simsek suggests that financial innovation does not reduce portfolio risk, but instead raises it by spreading risk through new financial instruments and creating situations where parties hold opposing views. This can lead to increased average portfolio risks as speculative variance becomes dominant.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateAug 26, 2013

Foreclosure crisis and metropolitan crime rates

A recent study by Indiana University researchers found no association between housing-mortgage stress and crime rates in US metropolitan areas. Despite anecdotal evidence, the research indicates that higher levels of housing-mortgage stress do not correlate with violent or property crime rates.

SourceIndiana University·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateAug 17, 2012

Tobacco use more prevalent among African-American adolescents living in public housing communities

A recent study found that African-American youths living in public housing communities are 2.3 times more likely to use tobacco than their peers. Early interventions, such as smoking cessation programs and addressing depressive symptoms, can help reverse positive attitudes towards tobacco use and reduce the risk of delinquent behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAddictive Behaviors·DateJul 10, 2012

Olympic Villages: Catalyst for urban renewal, or post-Games hangover?

Cities' grandiose Olympic Village projects often prioritize private sector interests over public good, leading to significant financial burdens on taxpayers. Sociologist Jay Scherer's research highlights the importance of democratic transparency in such partnerships, emphasizing the need for community benefits and fair risk distribution.