Dear John,

ICYMI, Sandra Newman of the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health appeared on A Health Podyssey to discuss her paper on the measurable health and related benefits of housing vouchers to families.

Housing Status Changes Associated with Cancer Outcomes Among US Veterans

In the February Housing & Health issue of Health Affairs, Hannah Decker of the University of California San Francisco and coauthors investigate all-cause mortality risks among veterans who received a diagnosis of lung, colorectal, or breast cancer between 2011–20.

They determine that those veterans that were continuously housed or gained housing had better survival rates than those who were consistently unhoused.

To learn more about their findings, watch a video abstract featuring author Hannah Decker.

Temporary Financial Assistance Reduced Probability of Unstable Housing For Veterans

Also in the issue, Alec Chapman of the University of Utah and coauthors examine the effects of temporary financial assistance received through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. 

The authors find that among veterans included in the study, the assistance reduced the probability of unstable housing for slightly more than one year, but this effect diminished after forty-five days.

To dive even further into this study, check out Alec Chapman's presentation from our Housing and Health theme issue briefing.

Protecting Black Maternal Health And Improving Workforce Diversity After The End Of Affirmative Action

Jessica McCann et al.

Accelerating The Exchange Of Health And Human Services Data To Improve Outcomes And Disrupt Inequities

Marko Mijic and Micky Tripathi

The centerpiece of the Health Affairs Insider Journal Club meeting in February is, “Housing-Sensitive Health Conditions Can Predict Poor Quality Housing.”

In the paper, authors examine the relationship between unsafe housing and ill health, and explain a machine learning tool they developed to improve health-related building inspection targeting.

On February 26, please join author Daniel Neill of New York University for a detailed discussion of the paper’s data, methods, and policy implications. Health Affairs Senior Editor Laura Tollen will host.

Celebrating Black History Month

This Black History Month, we're highlighting influential Black voices and organizations who have made an impact on health equity and policy.

In an October 2023 article, Jamila Michener explores racism, power, and health equity through the lens of housing by drawing on the experiences of tenants who confront health-threatening housing conditions.