Abstract
BackgroundLarge-scale regeneration programmes to improve the personal conditions and living circumstances in deprived areas may affect health and the lifestyle of the residents. Previous evaluations concluded that a large-scale urban regeneration programme in the Netherlands had some positive effects within 3.5 years. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects at the longer run.MethodsWith a quasi-experimental research design we assessed changes in the prevalence of general health, mental health, physical activity, overweight, obesity, and smoking between the pre-intervention (2003–04 –mid 2008) and intervention period (mid 2008–2013–14) in 40 deprived target districts and comparably deprived control districts. We used the Difference-in-Difference (DiD) to assess programme impact. Additionally, we stratified analyses by sex and by the intensity of the regeneration programme.ResultsChanges in health and health related behaviours from pre-intervention to the intervention period were about equally large in the target districts as in control districts. DiD impact estimates were inconsistent and not statistically significant. Sex differences in DiD estimates were not consistent or significant. Furthermore, DiD impact estimates were not consistently larger in target districts with more intensive intervention programmes.ConclusionWe found no evidence that this Dutch urban regeneration programme had an impact in the longer run on self-reported health and related behaviour at the area level.
Highlights
Residents of deprived areas generally have worse health than those living in non-deprived areas
We found no evidence that this Dutch urban regeneration programme had an impact in the longer run on self-reported health and related behaviour at the area level
As these urban regeneration programmes target the social determinants of health, they may contribute to health improvements of residents and reduce geographical health inequalities [4,5]
Summary
Residents of deprived areas generally have worse health than those living in non-deprived areas. The poorer living conditions in these deprived areas, for example a low quality housing stock, social disorder and deteriorated physical environment, may impact the mental and physical health of residents as well [2], thereby contributing to geographical health inequalities These living conditions, together with the social position of people, make up the so-called social determinants of health [3]. Urban regeneration programmes aim to ameliorate the physical and social environment of deprived areas and may in addition address socioeconomic problems that are common in these areas, such as unemployment and high levels of school dropout As these urban regeneration programmes target the social determinants of health, they may contribute to health improvements of residents and reduce geographical health inequalities [4,5]. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects at the longer run
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