COVID-19 & informal settlements: is ‘Stay Home’ safe?
- Emily Nix
(UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School for Energy, Environment and Resources, University College London, London, UK)
- Jacob Paulose (UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School for Energy, Environment and Resources, University College London, London, UK)
- Monica Lakhanpaul (Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK)
- Pam Factor-Litvak (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA)
- Priti Parikh (Engineering for International Development Centre, London, UK)
- Hector Altamirano-Medina (UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School for Energy, Environment and Resources, University College London, London, UK)
- Yasmin Bou Karim (Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK)
- Logan Manikam (Aceso Global Health Consultants Ltd, 3 Abbey Terrace, London SE2 9EY, UK)
This is version 2 of this article, the published version can be found at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000038
Abstract
The disproportional burden of coronavirus (COVID-19) and vulnerability to containment measures in informal settlements have been recognised; however, the role of poor housing conditions in propagating these remains neglected. Poor housing conditions makes it difficult to effectively implement social distancing measures. With increased time spent in cramped, dark and uncomfortable indoor environments, water and sanitation outside the home, and no outdoor space, higher exposure to existing health hazards and high levels of stress, with women and children being most vulnerable, are anticipated. Through this commentary paper, we reflect on these interconnections and recommend immediate measures and the long-term need for adequate housing for health and well-being.Keywords: informal settlements, housing, health, COVID-19
Rights: © 2022 The Authors.