Poor housing linked to missed school and lower grades

New research suggests children living in substandard homes in England miss more school and achieve lower grades than their peers. 

The research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, drew on data from the nationally representative Millennium CoHort Study, including 8,992 children born between 2000 and 2002. 

Housing quality at age seven was measured using six indicators: accommodation type, floor level, lack of access to a garden, presence of damp, inadequate or no heating and overcrowding. 

Researchers then linked housing quality to missed school days and standardised test results in maths and English at aged seven, 11 and 16 using the National Pupil Database. 

Children who were exclusively homeschooled or attending private schools (7%) were not included in the database and housing conditions were assessed by parents. 

Nevertheless, the researchers explained there are plausible explanations for the associations observed, including the fact that living in damp housing can increase the risk of respiratory illness.

‘While study participants were not asked directly about the presence of mould, damp conditions are a major determinant of fungal growth which can in turn release hazardous spores, fragments and microbial volatile organic compounds into indoor air,’ the researchers said.

‘Crowded housing is linked to behavioural problems and to worse health in children…Living in crowded homes is linked to lower academic achievement due to noise, lack of study space, insufficient sleep, reduced concentration and added responsibilities (eg childcare).’

On average, children missed 5% (86 days) of compulsory schooling. Approximately 16% lived in poor quality housing, defined as meeting at least two of the six indicators. 

After accounting for parental education, ethnicity and other factors, children in poor quality homes missed nearly 1.5 more school days than peers with better housing conditions –  damp, overcrowding and living in a flat were mostly associated with absenteeism. 

Test scores in maths and English were 2-5% lower for children in poorer housing, mainly driven by overcrowding and, to a lesser extent, lack of central heating. 

Researchers concluded: ‘Improving housing conditions, especially reducing damp and overcrowding, and updating heating systems and energy efficiency can have significant benefits. Given the magnitude of the problem in England, national and local public health and housing policies targeting these features of housing quality could improve children’s health and school outcomes across the country and narrow the health inequality gaps.’

The researchers also added that addressing poor housing could save the NHS £1.4bn annually on treatment costs. 

The study can be read in full here. 

Photo: maks_d/UnSplash

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