9:15am - 9:30am (CDT) | 5044.0 - Preserving lives and equity: Unveiling the impact of pandemic eviction prevention policies on mortality rates

Session: Public Health Nursing Policy

Program: Public Health Nursing

Presenter: Cassandra Michel, BS

Authors:

Danya Keene, PhD

Penelope Schlesinger

Abstract

Statement of the Problem

This presentation will share a framework for evaluating effects of pandemic eviction prevention policies on individual- and area-level death rates, leveraging variation in policies over time and between locations to gain new insight into the relationship between eviction and mortality. There are unprecedented levels of housing cost burden in the U.S. and, in turn, millions of renters are forced to face the threat of eviction. To prevent a surge in evictions, federal, state, and local policymakers established a range of eviction prevention policies, most notably eviction moratoria and emergency rental assistance (ERA). These policies varied across the country in how and when they were implemented, creating variation in eviction risk.

Approach

We evaluate effects of eviction on mortality and inequalities in mortality. In so doing, we provide insight into the potential for eviction prevention policies to advance health equity. Our project combines the strengths of multiple approaches. Our project leverages individual-level eviction-filing data and mortality records, natural experiments to examine the causal impact of eviction prevention policies on county-level measures of mortality, and qualitative data to better understand the process through which our observed effects occur.

Product/Outcome

Our project will produce a comprehensive understanding of how eviction prevention policies can be leveraged to advance health equity.

Implications

Housing policy has played a significant role in producing racial inequalities. Our project identifies the potential for housing policies to redress these harms and advance health equity.