Housing chief Ben Carson puts medical background to work as he tries to make housing healthier, safer

Residents of Florida and Houston's mold and toxic air and water concerns after floodwaters receded are the latest example of the nexus between health and housing that is becoming a top priority for the Trump administration's housing chief.  

Former neurosurgeon, presidential candidate and now-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is a big believer in looking at housing as a major "social determinant of health." That includes victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

“There’s a going to be a lot of mold and things that are unhealthy for people, so we’re going be there making sure that the restorations are healthy in that sense, too," Carson said in an interview. 

Carson says affordable housing has to not only be available but safe. 

"I spent a lot of time (as a pediatric surgeon) trying to get patients healthy only to send them back to an unhealthy environment," said Carson. "So now there’s an opportunity to do something about that."

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

The Housing and Urban Development Department is partnering with local churches to help with “lead abatement” in communities and directing “tremendous amounts” of funds to make sure safety is an option for everyone, Carson said.

Read more:

Feds examine health benefits of screening and linking to social services

Social service shortfalls hinder health, boost medical spending

While lead and mold are obvious intersections of health and housing, he also wants to focus on creating safe environments for children and elderly people, he says.

Carson was the keynote speaker last week  at a reception by Habitat for Humanity of Washington to celebrate a campaign honoring women in the building industry and promoting affordable home ownership for low- and moderate-income women. The initiative is supported by first lady Melania Trump, the five living previous first ladies and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

Carson says taking the same care in home health and healthy living environments are just as important as saying, “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" when it comes to medical care.

Gilyard is an intern with the Urban Health Media Project, which O'Donnell co-founded.