result in improved mental health and functioning and reductions in hospitalisation

[GoodTaste]

These programmes do not require homeless participants with mental illness to be “housing ready” with treatment before getting their first home and provide housing with intensive and flexible mental health support. Studies in Europe and North America have shown Housing First programmes result in improved mental health and functioning and reductions in hospitalisation for mental health problems.
Source: The Lancet

Do you think the first "and" is necessary in the phrase "result in improved mental health and functioning and reductions in hospitalisation"?

The phrase seems to mean "result in improved A, B and C (A=mental health; B=mental functioning; C=reductions in hospitalisation for mental health)".
If so, the first "and" seems necessary. I am not very sure.

 

[5jj]

I read it as:
Studies in Europe and North America have shown Housing First programmes result in (1) improved mental health and functioning and (2) reductions in hospitalisation for mental health problems.

 

[jutfrank]

The phrase seems to mean "result in improved A, B and C (A=mental health; B=mental functioning; C=reductions in hospitalisation for mental health)".

I read it like that too.

 

[Tdol]

Both are possible for me.