Unaffordable housing costs across the country may affect a person’s risk of premature death, a new study suggests.
Americans who spent half of their income on rent in 2000 were 9 percent more likely to die in the next 20 years than Americans who spent only 30 percent of their income on rent.
The pressure to find money for rent, which has increased over the years as inflation, along with the cost of living, has reached new heights, often leaves people unable to finance their health and food needs.
Researchers at Princeton University analyzed millions of records using the U.S. Census Bureau to track renters since 2000 to better understand how the burden of paying high rent and evictions affects deaths.
Rents have become more expensive than ever in recent years, and overall housing costs have risen by nearly 30 percent since the start of the corona pandemic.
Americans who spent half of their income on rent in 2000 were 9 percent more likely to die in the next 20 years than Americans who spent only 30 percent of their income on rent.
A study by Moody’s Analytics found that seven metropolitan areas have average rent costs that are at least 30 percent of the average salary, putting pressure on renters’ cost of living.
Americans who spend between 30 and 50 percent of their money on rent end up spending 57 percent less on necessary health care, including health care such as checkups, and 17 percent less on groceries, compared to households that can afford rent.
People who spent 70 percent of their income on rent had a 12 percent higher risk of death.
The expulsion had an even greater impact. The mere threat of deportation—even if there was no deportation decision in this case—was associated with a 19 percent increase in the death rate.
Receiving an eviction notice was associated with a 40 percent increased risk of death.
Dr. Nick Graetz, lead author of the study, said: “We were surprised by the magnitude of the association between cost and mortality risk.”
“This is an especially big problem when you consider how many people are affected by rising rents.” It’s not unusual.”
Specific causes of death related to exposure to problems paying rent, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, were not included in the study. However, there are a number of health problems that can arise from chronic stress.
Dr. Gaetz added, “Eviction can endanger a person’s physical and mental health by exposing them to prolonged periods of intense housing distress, including homelessness and acute stress.”
Stress-related health problems range from digestive, heart and skin problems to muscle tension, psychological disorders and sleep disorders.
Rent stress will age you TWICE as fast as unemployment
British and Australian researchers have found that private renting, repeatedly falling behind on rent payments or living in a house affected by pollution is linked to faster biological ageing.
The study authors said: “The supply of affordable housing in the United States has declined over time. Our results suggest that public policies to address this problem—such as rent vouchers, small mortgages, and expanding housing incentives for low-income earners—can lead to significant improvements in public health.
“When tenants are not forced to choose between rent and their well-being, they will live longer and healthier lives.”
The problem seems to be getting worse. The researchers found that of the poorest renters who spent 30 to 49 percent of their income on housing in 2000, 45 percent saw an increase of 20 percentage points or more in their struggle to make rent a decade later.
Compared to those whose rental burden did not change over this ten-year period, people whose financial burden increased by 10 percentage points had an eight percent higher risk of death.
Dr. Graetz said, “Overall, we live in a system that makes it very difficult to maintain our housing when we have a problem. A sudden health problem in your family, a car accident or some other unexpected problem can quickly lead to eviction.
“It is especially important to act now: eviction applications are increasing in every city and state we track.”
Their results were published in the journal Social Science and Medicine.
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
