The relationship between the built environment and birthweight

Abstract

A growing body of research has broadened the study of the relationship between the built environment and health from individual housing conditions, to include the larger neighborhood environment and its subsequent effects on the health outcomes of its residents. Research has connected measures of neighborhood quality to changes in health outcomes for residents, yet little work has been done to develop measures that capture and quantify the physical features of the neighborhood's manmade surroundings, also known as the built environment. This paper investigates the current literature detailing the relationship between the built environment and low birthweight and suggests potential interventions. Interventions developed at the county, neighborhood, and individual levels could aid community leaders and policymakers in breaking the cycle of low birthweight.