Objective

This study aims to analyse the effects of housing insecurity on health and whether they are modified by employment status of people belonging to the Treball als Barris programme in Barcelona (Spain) between 2015 and 2016.

Method

We conducted a longitudinal study using a survey which included sociodemographic, employment and housing status information. This was administered to 469 individuals at baseline and after one year of follow-up. We then carried out a descriptive analysis and fitted regression models to estimate the effects of housing insecurity and employment status on health, and the interaction between them.

Results

Among women, we found negative effects of housing insecurity on health (the prevalence ratio [PR] of poor self-reported health among women with housing insecurity was 2.29, with a 95% confidence interval [95%CI] of 1.36-3.84, compared to those in secure housing), while, among men, the main effects on health were due to employment status (PR of poor self-reported health among men who were unemployed without subsidy was 3.16 [95%CI: 1.02-6.15] compared to those who were employed after follow-up). In addition, the results suggest an interaction between housing and employment status on mental health among men.

Conclusion

Housing insecurity rates have increased in recent years. It produces negative effects on health and can interact with other social determinants such as employment, mainly on men's mental health.

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