Housing instability has been linked to worsening health outcomes such as high blood pressure, respiratory conditions and exposure to infectious disease. Which health outcome is explicitly linked to housing instability?

• A. High blood pressure
• B. Asthma
• C. Diabetes
• D. Obesity

Answer: (A)

Housing instability triggers chronic psychosocial stress and disrupts access to consistent healthcare, which promotes higher blood pressure. The stress response increases sympathetic activity and cortisol, leading to vasoconstriction and greater cardiac workload, contributing to hypertension. Unstable housing also interferes with sleep, diet, medication adherence, and regular medical care, all of which can raise blood pressure over time. In the stem, high blood pressure is the health outcome explicitly linked to housing instability, making it the best match. Other conditions like asthma, diabetes, or obesity can be influenced by living conditions, but they are not the explicit link provided in the question.