Dr Emma Hock - Exploring the impact of housing insecurity on the health and wellbeing of children and young people

Abstract

Housing insecurity refers to housing situations where people experience or are at risk of multiple house moves that are not through choice and related to poverty. Many aspects of housing insecurity have been shown to impact children’s health and wellbeing. However, the pathways linking housing and child health and wellbeing are complex and poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative research to better understand these pathways and health impacts. We searched key databases, reference lists and 'grey literature' for qualitative studies exploring the perspectives of children and young people, and those close to them (e.g., parents, teachers) from the United Kingdom. We synthesised the data using best fit framework synthesis combined with thematic synthesis, and generated diagrams to illustrate hypothesised causal pathways. In this webinar, we will examine the childrens' experiences of housing insecurity, the impact on their day-to-day lives, and the health and wellbeing impacts of insecure housing situations, and some of the links between these, finishing with implications for policy, practice and research.

Bio

I have a track record of research in preventative health behaviour, with a specific research interest in smoking cessation and physical activity, multiple health behaviour change and physical activity and mental health. I completed my PhD in physical activity and smoking abstinence in young smokers at Sheffield Hallam University in 2007, and also worked on a two-year MRC-funded research contract at the University of Exeter, investigating walking as an aid to cessation: a feasibility study within the NHS stop smoking service (Walk-2-Quit).

I joined SCHARR in 2008 as a systematic reviewer on the NICE Public Health Collaborating Centre, and have been involved in systematic reviews on looked after children and young people, smoking in pregnancy and the prevention of pre-diabetes.

I have been working as a systematic reviewer for the Technology Assessment Group (SCHARR-TAG) since 2011 and also maintain an interest in primary research into health behaviour change. I have been involved in systematic reviews into the clinical effectiveness of varicose vein management methods, bevacizumab for eye conditions, cytisine for smoking cessation, biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and exercise referral schemes.