ABSTRACT Housing and neighbourhood contexts are critical social determinants of health for children and youth. However, little is known about how co‐occurring socioecological factors, including household, housing and neighbourhood contexts, cumulatively influence child and youth health risks. The aims of this study were to examine the combined effects of household‐, housing‐ and neighbourhood‐based risk and protective factors on child and youth health risks. Using data from the 2023 National Survey of Children's Health ( N = 55 162), we address the following research question: (1) To what extent are household‐, housing‐ and neighbourhood‐based risk and protective factors cumulatively associated with child and youth health risks? We utilize ordered logistic regression to examine relationships between household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, housing hardships and neighbourhood‐based risk and protective factors on child and youth health risks. Results indicated that household‐ (OR = 1.36) and community‐based adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (OR = 3.11), as well as housing hardships, including difficulties paying rent (OR = 1.21), homelessness experiences (OR = 1.39) and eviction‐related stress (OR = 1.26), were associated with health risks. Neighbourhood safety (OR = 0.86), support (OR = 0.81) and family resilience (OR = 0.82) were protective against health risks. Children and youth experiencing the highest health risks were more likely to face greater hardships across housing and neighbourhood contexts compared to those who experienced moderate, low and no health risks. Findings highlight a need for preventive interventions that address housing and neighbourhood factors that undermine health. Implications for social work research, policy and practice are discussed.
Foell et al. (Mon,) studied this question.