A neighborhood's built environment can have an influence on residents' health. For example,
The more grocery stores in close proximity to where people live, the lower their blood pressure and body mass index tended to be
. A fast food outlet in close proximity to where people live was linked to higher body mass index.
Which factors influence the health of neighborhoods?
Factors such as
educational attainment, income, access to healthy food, and the safety of a neighborhood
tend to correlate with individual health outcomes in that neighborhood … these factors are linked to economic health as well as physical health.”
How the neighborhood we live in and the conditions of that neighborhood impact our ability to make healthy choices?
Social and economic conditions in neighborhoods can also influence health by
affecting access to employment opportunities and public resources including efficient transportation, an effective police force, and good schools
. Strong ties and trust among people within neighborhoods have been associated with better health.
How does neighborhood disadvantage affect health?
We find that residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods have
worse health (worse self-reported health and physical functioning and more chronic conditions) than residents of more advantaged neighborhoods
. The association is mediated entirely by perceived neighborhood disorder and the resulting fear.
How living conditions affect health and wellbeing?
Healthy homes promote good physical and mental health
. Good health depends on having homes that are safe and free from physical hazards. In contrast, poor quality and inadequate housing contributes to health problems such as chronic diseases and injuries, and can have harmful effects on childhood development.
How does construction affect human health?
Physical spaces can expose people to toxins or pollutants and influence lifestyles that contribute to diabetes, coronary vascular disease, and asthma
.
How can buildings affect health?
Health risks associated with indoor environments includes
asthma, cancer, and reproductive and developmental effects
. However, significant gaps still exist in the current state of knowledge about indoor environmental risks and exposures.
Healthy People 2020 organizes the social determinants of health around five key domains: (1) Economic Stability, (2) Education, (3) Health and Health Care, (4)
Neighborhood and Built Environment
, and (5) Social and Community Context.
How does neighborhood affect healthy food options?
A summary of recent research on this issue indicated that “
in neighborhoods without supermarkets, residents likely face higher prices for many healthy foods
, because small stores typically charge more for items such as fresh produce.”
12
Research also shows that price reductions of healthier food choices can contribute …
What is the impact of unhealthy environment?
Environmental pollutants
can cause health problems like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and some types of cancer
. People with low incomes are more likely to live in polluted areas and have unsafe drinking water. And children and pregnant women are at higher risk of health problems related to pollution.
Why is it important to live in a good neighborhood?
Stable, affordable housing is a key determinant of health
. The house and neighborhood where one grows up impacts the health and longevity of one's life. Having a safe, decent, stable, affordable home also impacts a child's success in school. However, many Americans live outside of safe, stable neighborhoods.
What condition in the neighborhood that are detrimental to the child?
And they include hazards associated with older and deteriorating housing, such as
mold, pest infestations, peeling lead paint, and lead pipes
. All of these environmental hazards pose a serious risk to children's development and well-being.
What is a disadvantaged neighborhood?
If the percentage of households that are below the poverty-line is greater than a critical prevalence within a neighborhood or community
, this neighborhood or community is usually defined as a disadvantaged one.
What are the challenges involved in trying to improve neighborhood conditions?
Participants described five key challenges in their communities:
Pollution, abandoned buildings with associated crime, low food access and health concerns, trash and illegal dumping, and lack of trees
.
Social determinants of health are
the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age
. They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care (Figure 1).
How does good housing affect health?
The quality of the home has a substantial impact on health;
a warm, dry and secure home is associated with better health
. In addition to basic housing requirements, other factors that help to improve well-being include the neighbourhood, security of tenure and modifications for those with disabilities.
How does your current home affect your health?
However, housing also has a huge influence on our mental health and wellbeing –
children living in crowded homes are more likely be stressed, anxious and depressed, have poorer physical health, and attain less well at school
.
Can a house affect your health?
Homes' structural and safety features can increase risk for injuries, elevate blood lead levels, and exacerbate other conditions
. Poor indoor air quality contributes to cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and other illnesses.
How can the built environment support health?
The built environment influences our health in many ways, including
activity levels, access to nutritious food, the houses we live in, where we work, contact with nature and the spaces we have for social interactions
. It also affects the air we breathe and the water we drink, and shelters us from the weather.
What is the purpose of environmental health?
Environmental health is the branch of public health that:
focuses on the relationships between people and their environment; promotes human health and well-being; and fosters healthy and safe communities
. Environmental health is a key part of any comprehensive public health system.
How does the built environment affect the natural environment?
The built environment directly affects habitat, ecosystems, endangered species, and water quality through
consumption, fragmentation, and replacement of natural cover with impervious surfaces
.
Why are buildings healthy?
The science of healthy buildings
Through the COGfx Study, research has shown that
healthy buildings can significantly improve cognitive function
. In addition, healthy buildings can impact the bottom line for a business – from reducing energy waste and the related costs to improving worker productivity.
What makes a building healthy?
Good ventilation and air quality, a comfortable temperature, low noise levels, and natural light
are all components of a “healthy” building, according to experts at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
How does Green building improve health?
Green buildings have created conducive environments for health by
providing more opportunities for exercise and physical activity
. Exercise facilities and equipment are now available in certain offices, while bike racks have been made more accessible to office workers to encourage a more active lifestyle.
