Analyzing the health impact of substandard housing environment and access to water, sanitation and hygiene in India

Despite ongoing policy efforts, the persistent prevalence of waterborne and vector-borne diseases in India highlights a critical gap in understanding the impact of inadequate access to and substandard quality of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, as well as poor housing conditions. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between housing conditions, availability of WASH amenities, household behaviours, and the spread of diseases, focusing specifically on waterborne and vector-borne illnesses. The study explores both structural and environmental factors, as well as how hygiene practices contribute to disease transmission. Key areas of analysis include access to safely managed drinking water services, sanitation, hygiene practices, and maintaining a healthy living environment. The findings indicate that improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and well-maintained living conditions significantly reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases. This study highlights the importance of integrating behavioural interventions with housing policies to enhance public health outcomes and mitigate disease risks in residential settings. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to invest in health infrastructure, along with integrating WASH as part of housing policies and affordable and adequate housing definitions.