Housing, Environment, And Living Conditions for Transformed Health

Housing, Environment, And Living Conditions for Transformed Health (HEALTHe Birmingham)

This project will compare the health effects of public housing renovation, neighborhood built and social environment improvements, and indoor air purification, alone and in combination, as well as the cost effectiveness of each approach.

STUDY 1: The study will assess the effects of public housing and neighborhood environment (built and social) improvements on health-related behaviors, psychosocial and physiologic stress, and self-reported and physiological markers of lung health and chronic disease.

STUDY 2: The study will determine whether indoor air purification can positively impact lung health in public housing sites not undergoing housing renovation, comparing a site near industrial pollution vs one less contaminated.

Participants will complete surveys, physical exam, lung function tests, and blood draw. An indoor air purifier with a usage tracker and an indoor air quality monitor will be provided, and used filters will be analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults age 18 years and older
• English speaking
• Residents of one of 4 public housing site in Birmingham, Alabama

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who are not 18 years or older
• Do not speak English
• Do not meet the residency criteria