©2012 president and fellows of harvard college healthy home behaviors among u.s. households:...

© 2 0 1 2 P R E S I D E N T A N D F E L L O W S O F H A R VA R D C O L L E G E

Healthy Home Behaviors Among U.S. Households:

Perception Versus Reality

Mariel Wolfson


Nearly One in Four Householders Expressed Concern About Healthy Home Problems or Risks

5%4%

9%

6%

21%56%

Major concern(s) or problems

Moderate concern(s)

Some minor concern(s)

Suspect health issues and/or risks

Unsure

This has not been an issue.

Share of Owner Households Expressing Healthy Home Concerns (Percent)

Share with Moderate or Major Concern: 9%

Share Expressing Any Concern: 24%

Notes: Sample size is 2,249. Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Are people concerned about these issues?


Who is concerned about healthy housing?

• Variables we considered…– Presence of Children– Minority status– Income (High/Low)– College Educated– Sex– Marital status


Households with Children, Minorities, College Graduates, High Income Households More Likely to Have Concerns

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1915 16 17 15 14 15

1317 14 9

9 10 9

32 32 3027

24 24 24

Major/Moderate Concern Minor Concern

Who is concerned….?

Notes: Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “ (*) Indicates no significant difference of proportions according to Chi-square test.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owner Households (Percent)


Households with Children, Minorities, College Graduates, High Income Households More Likely to Have Concerns

One or more Children

Minority College Graduate

High Income (>$100K)

Female* Married*0

1020304050607080

47

21

48

28

50

74

34

15

42

22

48

72

Expressed Healthy Housing Concerns All Survey Respondents

Option 2: Who is concerned….?

Notes: Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “ (*) Indicates no significant difference of proportions according to Chi-square test.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owner Households (Percent)


Two Main Categories of Healthy Home Issues

• Basic– Safety of the neighborhood– Accessibility in or around the home– Safety or comfort of the physical structure– Other basic safety issues (pests, child-safety)

• ‘Invisible’– Indoor air quality– Harmful materials/ chemicals in the home– Water quality– Other indoor issues (Too much noise, too little sunlight,

etc.)


Any 'Basic' Issue Any 'Invisible' Issues0

20

40

60

80

100

45

87

1120

Share among Households Expressing Healthy Home Concerns

Among All Households Surveyed (including those with no issues)

More than 4 out of 5 Concerned Homeowner Specified one or more ‘Invisible’ Concerns

Notes: Sample size is 529. Households that expressed some basic level of healthy housing interest/concern were asked, “Which general category(ies) best describes your concern about the impact of your home on your household’s health? “ Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owner Households Selecting Healthy Housing Concerns (Percent)

In general, what are they concerned about?


Invisible Concerns Topped List Among Homeowners interested in ‘Healthy Housing’

Other

Other indoor issues (light, noise)

Safety of the neighborhood

Other basic safety issues

Accessibility

Safety or comfort of structure

Harmful materials/ chemicals

Water quality

Indoor air quality

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

3%

17%

19%

22%

24%

27%

29%

36%

69%

Notes: Sample size is 529. Households that expressed some basic level of healthy housing interest/concern were asked, “Which general category(ies) best describes your concern about the impact of your home on your household’s health? “ In total, 87 percent of households expressed one or more concerns about ‘invisible’ healthy housing issues.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owner Households Expressing Concern (Percent)



1 Issues 2 Issues 3 Issues 4 Issues0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50% 44%

25%

13%

5%10%

6% 3% 1%

Share of Concerned HouseholdsShare of All Households Surveyed (including those with no issues)

More than 4 out of 5 Owners worried about ‘Healthy Housing’ Identified one or more ‘Invisible’ Concerns

Notes: Sample size is 529. Households that expressed some basic level of healthy housing interest/concern were asked, “Which general category(ies) best describes your concern about the impact of your home on your household’s health? “Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owner Households Selecting ‘Invisible’ Healthy Housing Concerns (Percent)



Top ‘Invisible’ Healthy Housing Concerns

Excessive illumination coming from outdoorsNoise issues within the home

Lead paintInsufficient natural light

Asbestos insulation Excessive outdoor noise(s)

OtherChemicals from interior furnishings

Chemicals from the building/structure itselfExcessive dryness of air

Radon gas in the homeLack of sufficient ventilation

Air pollution from indoor cooking/heatingOutdoor pollution surrounding the home

Water quality/purity issuesDampness or moisture issues

Managing household dust and/or pet dander

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

3%

3%

4%

6%

6%

7%

7%

9%

9%

12%

14%

15%

18%

22%

25%

36%

47%

Notes: Sample size is 465. Households that expressed some basic interest in ‘invisible’ healthy housing issues were asked, “Among the healthy home issues that concern your household, please select up to three of them that generate the most concern.“Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Issues that Generated the Most Concern For Households Expressing ‘Invisible’ Healthy Housing Concerns (Share)


Closer Look at ‘Invisible’ Healthy HomeConcerns: Indoor Air Pollution

0102030405060708090

8569

5951

44 43 4331

Very OR somewhat Concerned Unsure / Confused

Notes: Sample size is 465. Households that expressed some basic interest in ‘invisible’ healthy housing issues were asked, “Of the following healthy home issues, how would you rate your level of concern/interest over the past few years regarding your current home?“Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Share of Owners Rating Specific Indoor Air Pollution Issues as a source of their Invisible Healthy Housing Concern(s) (Percent)


Closer Look at ‘Invisible’ Healthy HomeConcerns: Indoor Environmental Health

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

60

39 39 36 31



Share of Owners Rating Specific Indoor Environmental Health Issues as a source of their Invisible Healthy Housing Concern(s) (Percent)


Closer Look at ‘Invisible’ Healthy HomeConcerns: House Site / Location

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

6053

43 39 3931



Share of Owners Rating Specific House Site / Location Issues as a source of their Invisible Healthy Housing Concern(s) (Percent)


Profile of Households Specifically Concerned about “Invisible’ Healthy Housing Issues

• Among those who expressed some baseline ‘healthy housing concern…

• White households, females, college educated, more likely to express ‘invisible’ concerns

• Income, marital status, presence of children had no measurable effect on specific type of interest


EXTRA SLIDES • (These were rough drafts, but there may be

something in here you’d like to see)


Presence of Children was A Major Factor Driving up Healthy Home Concerns

Does Not Have Children Has Children0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

7%13%

12%

19%19%

32%Minor concerns Major/Moderate Concern

Notes: Sample size is 2,129. Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “ Chi-square test for association significant at p<0.001 level.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.




Minority Status was Also a Factor Associated with More Healthy Housing Concerns

White, Not Hispanic Non-White0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

8%

17%

14%

15%22%

32%Minor concern Major/Moderate Concern

Notes: Sample size is 2,231. Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “ Chi-square test for association significant at p<0.001 level.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.




High Income Households Also More Likely to be Concerned

Not High Income High Income0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

8%14%

19%

22%22%

30%Minor concern Major/Moderate Concern

Notes: Sample size is 2,231. Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “Chi-square test for association significant at p<0.001 level.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.




College Educated Households Had Somewhat higher Rate of Concern



Not a College Graduate College Graduate0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

9% 9%

13%17%

21%

27%

Minor concern Major/Moderate Concern

Notes: Sample size is 2,231. Households were asked, “In the past few years, how concerned have you been about your current home negatively affecting your or another occupant’s health? “Chi-square test for association significant at p<0.01 level.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.


Presence of Children and Minority Status were Both Associated with Healthy Housing Concerns

Does Not Have

Children

Has Children

Does Not Have

Children

Has Children

White/Non-Minority Minority

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%


Unsure

Minor concerns, or suspect health issues and/or risks

Moderate concern(s)






Under $20K $20K to $99K $100K or More0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Unsure

Minor concerns, or suspect health issues and/or risks

Moderate concern(s)



High Income and Very Low Income Homeowners Expressed More Healthy Housing Concerns




Under $20K

$20K to $99K

$100K or More

Under $20K

$20K to $99K

$100K or More

Does Not Have Children Has Children

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Unsure

Minor concerns, or suspect health is-sues and/or risks

Moderate concern(s)



High and Low Income Homeowners, Especially with Children, had More Healthy Housing Concerns




Profile Of Households Expressing Any Level of Concern

Share of Households (Percent)

ConcernedNot

ConcernedAll Households in the Survey

Married 74 72 72

One or more Children 47 30 34

Minority 21 14 15

College Graduate 48 41 42

Female 50 47 48

High Income (>$100K) 28 20 22


Most Owners Expressed Concern About 1-2 ‘Invisible’ Issues; Many also Expressed Basic Safety Concerns

Notes: Sample size is 529. Households that expressed some basic level of healthy housing interest/concern were asked, “Which general category(ies) best describes your concern about the impact of your home on your household’s health? “ In total, 87 percent of households expressed one or more concerns about ‘invisible’ healthy housing issues.Source: JCHS tabulations of Healthy Home Owner Survey, The Farnsworth Group.

Distribution of Owner Households Expressing Invisible ‘Healthy Housing’ Concerns (Share)

None One Issue 2 Issues 3 Issues 4 IssuesNumber of Invisible Concerns

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%Expressed Basic Concern No Basic Safety Concerns

©2012 president and fellows of harvard college healthy home behaviors among u.s. households:...

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