Carried out as part of a partnership between the A-MCA and the Federation of ESH, this survey “Health and social housing: prevention, health, quality of life and support”, made it possible to question 2,005 people over 18 years, between March 25 and April 4, 2022, i.e. 1,006 tenants in private housing and 999 tenants in social housing.
Among them, elderly people, sometimes weakened, and therefore very concerned by health issues.
« Faced with the multiple difficulties that the elderly may encounter such as social isolation, illness or even financial difficulties, health prevention and the well-being of seniors at home is a major issue. », explains Véronique Suissa, director of the A-MCA.
And to add: It was important to explore the expectations of citizens in their diversity, young and old, living in a private park or HLM, in order to take the measure of their experience, to consider and compare their expectations and thus propose appropriate preventive measures.. »
Well-being and housing
For both categories of respondents, the two fundamental points that their accommodation must have in order for them to feel good there are brightness (79% private and 81% social) and surface area (76% for both).
For the majority of private and social tenants, the feeling that their housing is adapted to their health is acquired (84% private and 78% social). It is the same for their daily needs (87% and 80%) then, the way of life (86 and 79%).
For both groups, housing has more positive than negative impacts on health. However, if the positive impacts on moral health, social life and physical health are acquired for more than 50% of private tenants (57%, 52% and 51%), this is only the case for 43%, 40% and 41% of social park tenants. The latter display as their first expectation to have housing more suited to their needs (34%) and a desire to feel more secure there.
Health, prevention and lifestyle
The survey also reveals that only 56% of private tenants and 46% of tenants in social housing feel in good health.
Among the reasons for poor health: stress (33% private, 37% social), frailty (22% and 29%) and depression (15% and 19%). As in the past two years, approximately 70% of survey participants or one of the inhabitants of their accommodation had to face at least one difficulty: psychological suffering (39% private, 44% social), difficulties outside Covid-19 (34%, 40%) then, difficulties linked to Covid-19 (36%, 39%).
Although the majority consider themselves to be well supported during a health problem (75%, 67%), only 20% of them consider themselves to be completely well supported, compared to approximately 50% rather well supported.
For the majority of tenants, health prevention thus turns out to be a major public health issue (87%, 88%). Moreover, the feeling that the way of life acts on health is recognized overall (77% and 69%). 50% of them feel the need to be informed or advised on prevention and healthy lifestyles (diet, sport, lifestyle, sleep, postures, etc.).
Knowledge of MCAs
Another topic covered in the survey: complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). A little less than half of the inhabitants (45% private and 38% social parks) have already heard the term MCA.
About half of participants believe that CAM contributes to prevention and well-being (51% private and 45% social). Among users, the main CAMs used are osteopathy (32% private, 30% social), homeopathy (21% and 19%), acupuncture (13% and 14%), hypnosis (13% for both groups) followed by phytotherapy (11% and 12%).
Frequencies of use are mostly occasional, i.e. “every quarter or more” (47% private and 44% social), followed by regular use, i.e. “once a month or more” (29% and 35%) then , exceptional uses, namely “once a year” (24% and 21%).
The main reason for use is to reduce one or more symptoms such as fatigue or pain (78% for both groups). Use for well-being or pleasure fluctuates between 40% and 46%.
Finally, use in prevention comes in third place (29% and 35%). The non-use is mainly justified by the lack of access to the practices, this one because of a lack of information, the high cost of the practices or even the distance from the practitioners. More than 70% of tenants would like MCAs to be reimbursed or better reimbursed by their mutual insurance company.
courses of action
Thanks to the various observations resulting from the survey, the A-MCA suggests various lines of thought and work. Among them, the establishment of neighborhood meetings, at least quarterly, including local health professionals as well as MCA-certified practitioners, to promote exchanges with citizens.
The actions to be taken should make it possible to support the importance of health prevention for all, young and old; establish a stronger link between lifestyle and perceived quality of life; to democratize the subject of MCAs; to disseminate current knowledge on each of them; and to communicate more about the link between CAMs and health prevention.
According to the A-MCA, different actions could be proposed such as prevention workshops (dietetic workshop, adapted sport, relaxation, sophrology, etc.); themed conferences on health prevention (eating well, moving well, CAM and prevention) or even clear information tools on prevention and CAM, easily accessible (practical sheets, books for the general public, guide, articles for themes, etc).
« So many measures that would promote the well-being of citizens, organize activities bringing generations together, and create social ties, in particular for isolated and vulnerable elderly people. concludes Véronique Suissa.