Housing and food insecurity among carers and the harmful effects on health

Abstract Background Inflation and rising living costs are pressing global challenges impacting vulnerable groups, including informal carers. It is essential to acknowledge that while informal caregiving can lead to negative health outcomes, the social inequalities associated with this role remain largely overlooked. This review will rigorously examine the material deprivation, specifically housing and food insecurity, faced by informal carers, and the harmful effects this has on their health, and how to tackle them. Methods We conducted a scoping review to examine the effects of material deprivation on the health of informal carers. Our literature searches included databases like CINAHL, PubMed, SocINDEX, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from the last twenty years. Results Preliminary results show that carers experience hunger, household food insecurity, and low incomes. They also experience household material, bill-paying, and healthcare hardships and have an increased risk of homelessness and child poverty. Financial strain was linked to poorer health. Some youth carers suffered physical injuries, both short- and long-term, for which no health and safety workplace mechanisms exist to support them. Additionally, homeless youth carers often experience mental health challenges and guilt over not being able to support their parents. The burdens of youth carers also led to housing instability and unmet personal needs, making them more vulnerable compared to non-carer youths. Conclusions Some informal carers face material deprivation, which harms their health and contributes to inequalities compared to non-carers. While health inequalities involve factors beyond healthcare, this sector is vital for identifying social determinants of health. To reduce health inequalities effectively, healthcare and nursing should focus on these issues; thus, nurses, as the largest healthcare workforce, are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Key messages • Informal carers experience housing and food insecurity, harming their health and creating health inequalities. • Addressing the social determinants of health in healthcare is essential to mitigate health inequalities.