Neighborhood environments significantly influence health outcomes and equity in the United States, a critical review reveals. The study underscores the connection between residential areas and access to public services like schools, safety, and sanitation, which are often allocated locally. Disparities in neighborhood quality exacerbate health inequalities, with poor-quality housing in disadvantaged neighborhoods posing a substantial public health issue.
The review discusses the roots of neighborhood inequality and how these disparities shape health. It also examines policy responses to these challenges. Evidence suggests that interventions at the local, state, and federal levels can mitigate health risks associated with neighborhoods, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities and low-income individuals who are more likely to live in areas with higher health and safety risks.
Quality housing is a social determinant of health, and addressing it may prevent negative health outcomes. Housing codes and laws have improved housing quality, but further research is needed to develop effective interventions. The Urban Institute emphasizes the need for inclusive policies to reduce neighborhood inequality, suggesting that investments in infrastructure can attract middle-income families to disadvantaged neighborhoods and promote economic diversity.
Environmental health disparities in housing also contribute to the issue, with racial and ethnic minorities often living in substandard housing, leading to various health problems. The literature suggests that housing-based interventions are effective in reducing these disparities and should be implemented more broadly.
In summary, the study calls for a comprehensive approach to housing as a determinant of health equity, advocating for policies that ensure access to affordable, stable, good quality housing in neighborhoods that support healthy lifestyles for all.
See “Neighborhoods And Health: Interventions At The Neighborhood Level Could Help Advance Health Equity” by Mariana C. Arcaya et al. on the Health Affairs website (February 2024)
