Children's HealthWatch

Safe, Stable Homes Mean Healthier Children and Families for Massachusetts

Children's HealthWatch analyzed surveys from 6,000 young Massachusetts children and their caregivers collected between 2002-2011 at the Boston Medical Center Emergency Department. We found that approximately 49% of families were housing insecure (behind on rent, living in over-crowded conditions or had moved at least two times in the past year). Housing insecurity is associated with greater risk of hospitalizations and developmental delays. Long-term housing interventions must work with an adequately-funded emergency shelter system to ensure the safety and health of children in Massachusetts.

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Click here to read more about this research project and to see the other briefs in the series.