Primary Submission Category: Structural factors
Homeownership is a strong predictor for the leading chronic conditions in United States
Authors: Shams Rahman David Steeb Nicole Doyle Sylvester Orimaye Maya Tabet
Presenting Author: Shams Rahman*
Introduction: Homeownership is an essential pathway to stability, economic security, social mobility and healthy life. The objective of this study was to examine the role of homeownership in predicting the prevalence of leading chronic conditions in the United States.
Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2020 data (N=401,958) were analyzed. BRFSS is the largest telephone survey in the U.S. which collects self-reported data on chronic conditions, risk behaviors, and preventive services utilization. Outcome variables included: self-reported ever diabetes, asthma, cancer (other than skin), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and kidney disease. Exposure variable included: homeownership (own/rent). In this paper we present preliminary findings from descriptive and regression analyses. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted for age and sex. To account for the survey design, all estimates were weighted.
Results: Sixty-seven percent of the participants reported living in their own houses, and 33% in rentals. Mean age for homeowners was 53 years vs. 38 years for renters. Homeownership was slightly higher among women than men. The prevalence for self-reported ever diabetes was 16%, asthma 13.5%, cancer 9.2%, CHD 5.7%, stroke 3.9%, and kidney disease 3.7%. The odds of diabetes were 1.5 times higher among renters than homeowners (OR 1.50; 95%CI: 1.41 – 1.57). The odds of asthma were 1.28 times higher among renters than homeowners (OR 1.28; 95%CI: 1.23 – 1.35). The odds of CHD were 1.3 times higher among renters than homeowners (OR 1.33; 95%CI: 1.22 – 1.44). The odds of stroke were two times higher among renters than homeowners (OR 2.00; 95%CI: 1.82 – 2.19). The odds of kidney disease were 1.68 times higher among renters than homeowners (OR 1.68; 95%CI: 1.53 – 1.85). The prevalence of self-reported cancer (other than skin) did not differ significantly by homeownership (OR 0.97; 95%CI: 0.90 – 1.04).
Conclusion: Homeownership is a strong predictor for self-report ever prevalence of multiple leading chronic conditions in the United States. Given its importance, future public health programs should address the issues of housing to improve health for all.