Effect of unexpected demolition announcement on health of residents.

Abstract

To examine the impact of an unexpected announcement of the demolition of a housing estate on the health of the area's residents. Study of general practitioner consultation rates of the estate's residents after the announcement compared with those of other areas and with those of the previous year. General practices in Runcorn, Cheshire. 17,000 patients on lists of the two group practices serving the estate and surrounding area. Relative weekly consultation rates with general practitioners. The mean adjusted odds ratio for consultation was 1.12 (SD 0.12) when demolition was expected and 0.877 (0.05) when it was not (t = 5.94, p less than 0.001). The difference remained after the adjustment for the fall in the estate's population was removed (t = 3.7, p less than 0.01). Announcement of the estate's demolition adversely affected residents' health.