Home > Review Articles > Mental health > “Freedom to move through the house”: How a healthy housing initiative improves quality of life in Aotearoa New Zealand

“Freedom to move through the house”: How a healthy housing initiative improves quality of life in Aotearoa New Zealand

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 112
Authors:
  • Chisholm E et al.
Summary:

Healthy housing interventions can yield extensive benefits by adopting a holistic and home-based approach, according to a qualitative study of people living in rental housing. Participants (n = 20) had received the Healthy House Initiative (HHI), which includes provision of items such as curtains, heaters, bedding, and insulation, advocacy to encourage landlords to install improvements, and education and advice to renters. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews revealed that participants felt heard and supported by HHI assessors. Participants reported increased warmth and dryness of their home, improved respiratory and mental health, reduced bills, and the ability to use more parts of their home. However, structural inadequacies and energy poverty meant some participants continued to endure cold and damp conditions.

Comment:
Just reading the title of this paper gives a sense of the impact healthy housing has for whānau. Importantly, the authors also acknowledge that the structural determinants for wellbeing require political will.
Reference: Aust N Z J Public Health. 2024;48(5):100190.
Abstract
Download Article
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.

Related Articles

New Zealand paediatric respiratory stock-take survey
New Zealand paediatric respiratory stock-take survey

A survey of health practitioners across New Zealand has highlighted inadequate staffing and provision of

Find out more
Mental health-related callouts to the ambulance service in Aotearoa New Zealand
Mental health-related callouts to the ambulance service in Aotearoa New Zealand

Māori and Pacific populations in deprived areas experience high rates of mental health-related callouts to

Find out more
Connecting health and place through age-friendly builtenvironments to reduce experiences of loneliness (mokemoke) for Māori
Connecting health and place through age-friendly builtenvironments to reduce experiences of loneliness (mokemoke) for Māori

A qualitative study has highlighted ontological approaches to aging-in-place for Indigenous peoples, as a strategy

Find out more
View All Reviews

Explore Māori Health Reviews

Dive into our publications and videos content from over 50 areas of medicine including Cardiology, Diabetes, Oncology, Haematology and Psychiatry. 

Reviews

It looks like you are closest to our Australia site.

Australia
Australia
Stay on this site
Find Reviews in Your Clinical Area
Please select your country of practice.
New Zealand
Australia
Terms and Conditions

Website terms of use 

By using our website, you agree to follow these terms and conditions. 

 

Privacy policy 

We take your privacy seriously. To understand how we collect, use, and protect your information, please read our Privacy Policy, which is part of these terms. 

 

Copyright and use of website content 

The content of our website is protected by copyright, trademarks, and other legal rights. You can: view, download, or print a single copy of content for your personal or professional use. 

You cannot:  copy, modify, or distribute website content, or use our website content for commercial purposes or in other works without permission. 

 

Links to third-party websites 

The Research Review website may link to third-party websites for your convenience. However: 

We do not endorse or approve their products, services, or actions. 

We are not responsible for their content or how they operate. 

There is no formal partnership between us and third parties unless we clearly state otherwise. 

 

Disclaimer and limitation of liability 

We do our best to keep the information on our website accurate, but we do not guarantee that it is always correct or up to date. 

To the fullest extent allowed by law, we are not responsible for: 

Any loss, damage, or costs you may suffer from using (or being unable to use) our website. 

Any decisions you make based on the information provided. 

Any business losses, such as lost profits, lost data, or business interruptions. 

 

Governing law 

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. If there is a dispute, it must be resolved in a New Zealand court.