Neighborhoods and health

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Feb:1186:125-45. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05333.x.

Abstract

Features of neighborhoods or residential environments may affect health and contribute to social and race/ethnic inequalities in health. The study of neighborhood health effects has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. This chapter summarizes key work in this area with a particular focus on chronic disease outcomes (specifically obesity and related risk factors) and mental health (specifically depression and depressive symptoms). Empirical work is classified into two main eras: studies that use census proxies and studies that directly measure neighborhood attributes using a variety of approaches. Key conceptual and methodological challenges in studying neighborhood health effects are reviewed. Existing gaps in knowledge and promising new directions in the field are highlighted.

MeSH terms

  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Environment