Moisture, mold, and inequality: Addressing the health consequences of inadequate housing

Dampness and mold in residential environments remain a significant yet often understated threat within environmental health research. Poor housing conditions—characterized by inadequate insulation, poor ventilation, structural decay, and exposure to flooding—create ideal circumstances for microbial and fungal growth. The resulting exposure affects millions globally and has been associated with a wide spectrum of adverse health outcomes including respiratory illnesses, asthma exacerbation, allergic responses, and heightened susceptibility to infections. Despite the well-documented biological mechanisms of mold exposure, the extent to which housing quality compounds social and environmental inequities remains insufficiently understood. Recent studies have drawn attention to the role of energy poverty, overcrowding, and urban aging infrastructure in amplifying these vulnerabilities, yet comprehensive, policy-oriented, and equity-driven research remains scarce.This Research Topic aims to consolidate and expand existing evidence on the relationship between damp and mold exposure and public health, focusing particularly on respiratory, allergic, and psychosocial outcomes. It seeks to identify interventions and policy strategies that mitigate the adverse effects of poor housing quality, as well as clarify the social and environmental mechanisms underlying these health risks. By integrating perspectives from environmental health, housing policy, urban planning, social epidemiology, and clinical research, this Research Topic encourages the exploration of both individual-level and systemic determinants. Key objectives include evaluating novel intervention models, quantifying health burdens, exploring housing inequities, and assessing how climate change and building design influence indoor moisture and exposure patterns.To gather further insights into the intersection of housing conditions and public health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Associations between dampness, mold exposure, and respiratory or allergic disease• Indoor air quality, ventilation, moisture, and housing-related environmental exposures• Health inequities linked to housing quality, affordability, and overcrowding• Mold and dampness in social or rental housing and their effects on marginalized groups• Mental health and social well-being impacts of living in damp or poorly maintained homes• Links between climate change, energy efficiency policies, and unintended indoor health risks• Surveillance, exposure assessment, and epidemiological approaches to monitor health effects• Policy, regulatory, and legal responses to inadequate housing conditions• Evaluation of housing interventions and remediation programs for public health outcomes• Community-driven and cross-sectoral approaches to improving housing and environmental justiceThis Research Topic aligns with the Built Environment, Housing Conditions and Public Health section, contributing to the advancement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by illuminating pathways through which healthy, equitable housing can reduce environmental health disparities. Topic editors: Agata Wypych-Ślusarska Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85005/moisture-mold-and-inequality-addressing-the-health-consequences-of-inadequate-housing