Frontiers in Public Health (Sep 2022)

Housing-related challenges during COVID-19 pandemic among urban poor in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and gap analysis

  • Shubhankar Dubey,
  • Krushna Chandra Sahoo,
  • Girish Chandra Dash,
  • Mili Roopchand Sahay,
  • Pranab Mahapatra,
  • Pranab Mahapatra,
  • Debdutta Bhattacharya,
  • Mariam Otmani del Barrio,
  • Sanghamitra Pati

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029394
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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The abysmal health of the urban poor or slum dwellers was attributed to structural inequities such as inadequate housing, water, and sanitation. This review aimed to assess housing-related opportunities and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic among urban poor in low-and middle-income countries. For study identification, a comprehensive search was performed in 11 databases that yielded 22 potential studies. The inadequate housing infrastructure makes the lives of the urban poor more precarious during COVID-19. Typically, the houses lacked lighting, ventilation, and overcrowding. This review reflected that it is crucial to reimagine housing policy for the urban poor with an emphasis on pandemic/epidemic guidelines.

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