Recognizing Housing Insecurity as a Critical Social Determinant of Healthy Aging

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Housing insecurity affects over 1 in 3 older adults and is linked to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare utilization.
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Wang et al. found that poor housing affordability significantly increases the risk of frailty, disability, dementia, and mortality in older adults.
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Clinicians and health systems must recognize housing insecurity as a modifiable social determinant of health to promote healthy aging.
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Effective screening for housing insecurity should include open-ended questions and consider individual living conditions to improve trust.
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Interventions following positive screens should be individualized, addressing broader structural issues and linking patients to community resources.

Jama Network Open

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