The built environment, or the human-made surroundings in which people live, work, and recreate, has direct and indirect effects on physical and poor mental health. Poor housing conditions - exposure to toxins, insufficient daylight, inadequate ventilation and insulation, isolation or crowding - are associated with respiratory infections, lead poisoning, and mental health. Quality affordable housing is also becoming scarce - lessees may not know their rights and fall victim to property owner violations.

For Buffalo's New Americans, poor housing conditions worsen physical and mental health and wellbeing. New Americans seek more adequate training on their rights and opportunities. Current and future health care providers seek to understand the link between their home environment and health. Researchers seek to uncover deep connections between the built environment and health.

The 6th Annual WNY Refugee Health Summit will take place on Saturday, April 13th, from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (955 Main St, Room 1220). It is is an opportunity for New Americans, health care providers, and researchers to convene, and collaboratively explore ways in which housing can be a lever for improving health in Buffalo, NY. The 2019 Summit will: 

• Examine Buffalo's housing crisis,
• Explore the links between housing and health,
• Recommend policies to improve housing for better health of refugees, and
• Identify innovative practices that improve mental and physical health for New Americans.

For further questions contact Jessica Scates at jmscates@buffalo.edu. If you have an interest in setting up a table at this year's event, please contact Ariana Martinez at am25@buffalo.edu. 

Check out the event webpage here and register to attend here.