The High Cost of Poor Housing on Scotland’s Health
Published: 20 January 2026
A new report by the University of Glasgow for the Scottish Futures Trust and Public Health Scotland highlights the scale of the health and financial implications of poor‑quality housing in Scotland.
A new report by the University of Glasgow for the Scottish Futures Trust and Public Health Scotland highlights the scale of the health and financial implications of poor‑quality housing in Scotland. The study ‘Housing Quality and Health - an Economic Analysis’ examines how issues such as damp, inadequate heating, and structural problems contribute to preventable illness - and how these conditions ultimately place pressure on public services.
The analysis focuses on quantifying the economic burden associated with housing‑related health problems, finding that the financial implications are significant, reflecting increased healthcare use, reduced productivity, and wider social costs.
The research was led by Kathleen Boyd, with contributions from HEHTA researchers Nishant Jaiswal and Francesco Manca. The authors, including Kenneth Gibb and Gareth James from the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence at the university, note that current estimates likely understate the true impact of poor housing on health because many long‑term or indirect effects remain difficult to measure.
A key message from the study is that housing quality should be treated as a central component of public health strategy. The analysis highlights the need for better data, more consistent monitoring, and stronger evaluation frameworks to understand how housing improvements translate into health gains over time.
The study reinforces the importance of cross‑sector collaboration - linking housing, health, and economic analysis - to build a more complete picture of how living conditions shape population wellbeing. It also provides an evidence base that can support future policy development as Scotland continues to address health inequalities.
First published: 20 January 2026
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