Health in the built environment

The term ‘health’ has evolved over time from referring simply to the body's ability to function, to include physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Health typically relates to the health of people, but it can also refer to the health of animals, an ecosystem, the economy, businesses and so on, describing in very general terms its condition.

In the built environment, health can refer to:

• The health of construction workers (typically grouped with safety as health and safety). For more information see: Health and safety.
• The health of other people employed in the construction industry.
• The economic health of the construction industry or businesses within it.
• The health of building occupants.
• Ecology and the environment.

The health of construction workers and building users includes issues such as:

• Sick building syndrome / building related illness.
• Health and safety.
• Comfort.
• Wellbeing.
• Mental health.
• Emergency services.
• Environmental health.
• Public health.
• Occupational health.
• Pollution.
• Nuisance.
• First aid.
• Emergency services.
• Biophilic design.
• Indoor air quality.
• Indoor environmental quality.
• Phobias.
• Heat stress.