Is the use of health services by older adults in New Zealand associated with their housing tenure?

Aim: To explore associations between tenure and the health service use of older New Zealanders.

Methods: Analysis of pooled data for adults aged 55+ from three New Zealand Health Surveys (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16) comparing owner-occupiers, private renters and public renters.

Results: Public renters, and in some age groups private renters, reported more visits to the GP and a higher proportion reported using a public hospital service in the last year.

The health of older New Zealanders in relation to housing tenure: analysis of pooled data from three consecutive, annual New Zealand Health Surveys.

Objective: To explore relationships between the housing tenure of older New Zealanders and their health-related behaviours, and physical and mental health.

Methods: Pooled data were analysed for 15,626 older adults (aged 55+) from three consecutive, annual, nationally representative New Zealand Health Surveys to compare owner-occupiers, private renters and public renters.

Results: Most in the sample were owner-occupiers (83.

Collaborating with a social housing provider supports a large cohort study of the health effects of housing conditions.

Background: Despite the importance of adequate, un-crowded housing as a prerequisite for good health, few large cohort studies have explored the health effects of housing conditions. The Social Housing Outcomes Worth (SHOW) Study was established to assess the relationship between housing conditions and health, particularly between household crowding and infectious diseases. This paper reports on the methods and feasibility of using a large administrative housing database for epidemiological research and the characteristics of the social housing population.

Effect of insulating existing houses on health inequality: cluster randomised study in the community.

Objective: To determine whether insulating existing houses increases indoor temperatures and improves occupants' health and wellbeing.

Design: Community based, cluster, single blinded randomised study.

Setting: Seven low income communities in New Zealand.