Social mix policies: are they resulting in better health outcomes and reducing health inequalities? Results from a literature review

Social mix policies rely on a common set of beliefs about the benefits of mixed communities, with little evidence to support them and a growing evidence base that contradicts the precepts embedded. This paper summarizes the... [ view full abstract ]

Social mix policies rely on a common set of beliefs about the benefits of mixed communities, with little evidence to support them and a growing evidence base that contradicts the precepts embedded.

This paper summarizes the main findings of a scoping literature review – Housing and social mix – performed in 2013 by a group of experts (urban planners, epidemiologists, public health consultants) in the framework of Equity Action, a Joint Action on Health Inequalities funded by the EU Health Programme. The review looked at the health impacts of mixing policies, investigating the idea of a tight link between social mix and social cohesion and, through evidence collected from empirical studies, assessing the effect of mixed neighborhoods on social interactions and networks. This contribution presents the current debate on desirability and usefulness of social mix as policy goal, questioning the basis on which mixing policies are promoted and justified.

The success of mixing policies depends on many factors - the level of mixing, the geographical scale of investigation , the role that market-forces and ‘urban practitioners’ play in influencing such factors . There is no single recipe for success. Some authors suggest that efforts to improve social equity would be more effective if directed towards the people themselves . Most of them agree that there is not enough evidence to reach overall firm conclusions.

Research seems to lack a health evaluation impact approach , but on the basis of the knowledge included in this review, some policy recommendations about the possible role of social mix policies in improving health and reducing health inequalities have been outlined.