Neighborhood Influence on Social Determinants of Health
Arlene Fredericks MSN, ACNP-BC
Rutgers University
Where we live can cause complications for our health. The conditions within our homes have significant effects on our health just as conditions in the neighborhoods surrounding our homes. Over the years different neighborhoods were studied and it was found that social and economic features of certain neighborhoods have been linked with mortality, general health status, disability, birth outcomes, and chronic disease as well as with mental health injuries (Cubbin, Pedregon, Egerter, & Braveman, 2008). Although some social determinants of health are increasingly being studied for understanding racial/ethnic health disparities, the role of neighborhood context for originating raceil/ethnic health disparities has garnered insuffficient attention (Osypuk, 2013). This paper will show how the neighborhoods we live in influence our health outcomes, what can be done to improve upon it and how this evidence can change healthcare practice.
Neighborhood Influences on Health …show more content…
The first and conceivably the most apparent are the physical appearances of the neighborhood. One’s health can be undesirably affected by substandard housing conditions, lack of access to nutritious foods and safe places to exercise but there is concentrated and ready access to fast food outlets and liquor stores. Poor air and water quality, mold, dust, and pest infestation also influence health in a negative way. How physical characteristics of buildings, streets and other constructed features of a neighborhood have been examined in relation to affecting smoking, exercise and obesity. Research has shown that living in close proximity to supermarkets has been linked to less obesity whereas proximity to small convenience stores has been linked to more obesity and smoking due to the food they
Arlene Fredericks MSN, ACNP-BC
Rutgers University
Where we live can cause complications for our health. The conditions within our homes have significant effects on our health just as conditions in the neighborhoods surrounding our homes. Over the years different neighborhoods were studied and it was found that social and economic features of certain neighborhoods have been linked with mortality, general health status, disability, birth outcomes, and chronic disease as well as with mental health injuries (Cubbin, Pedregon, Egerter, & Braveman, 2008). Although some social determinants of health are increasingly being studied for understanding racial/ethnic health disparities, the role of neighborhood context for originating raceil/ethnic health disparities has garnered insuffficient attention (Osypuk, 2013). This paper will show how the neighborhoods we live in influence our health outcomes, what can be done to improve upon it and how this evidence can change healthcare practice.
Neighborhood Influences on Health …show more content…
The first and conceivably the most apparent are the physical appearances of the neighborhood. One’s health can be undesirably affected by substandard housing conditions, lack of access to nutritious foods and safe places to exercise but there is concentrated and ready access to fast food outlets and liquor stores. Poor air and water quality, mold, dust, and pest infestation also influence health in a negative way. How physical characteristics of buildings, streets and other constructed features of a neighborhood have been examined in relation to affecting smoking, exercise and obesity. Research has shown that living in close proximity to supermarkets has been linked to less obesity whereas proximity to small convenience stores has been linked to more obesity and smoking due to the food they