Neighborhood Conditions Research Articles

The unequal spread of digital neighbourhood platforms in urban neighbourhoods: A multilevel analysis of socio-demographic predictors and their relation to neighbourhood social capital

Digital neighbourhood platforms (DNPs) – also called online neighbourhood networks or neighbourhood social networks – are still a relatively novel phenomenon, and little is known about their actual reach among citizens and about neighbourhood conditions which foster or impede their spread. We consider DNPs as a digital extension of conventional neighbourhood social capital and analyse their spread in comparison with the latter using a recent community survey in two large German cities with a probability sample of 2900 respondents in 139 neighbourhoods. The analysis is guided by the scholarly discussion on the potential of DNPs to reduce current inequalities in the distribution of social capital. The results showed that 18% of respondents in Cologne and 12% of respondents in Essen have used DNPs. Multilevel analyses revealed a strong negative association of neighbourhood ethnic diversity with user rates, in parallel to the same negative effect on conventional neighbourhood social capital. It is therefore reasonable to assume that pre-existing inequalities in social capital are replicated by DNPs. On the individual level, the use of DNPs was less dependent on strong social bonds than on conventional social capital. Comparing respondents who use DNPs to those who do not, the former group proves to be socially more connected, more trusting and more satisfied with their neighbourhoods.

Ultraviolet Radiation Fields in Star-forming Disk Galaxies: Numerical Simulations with TIGRESS-NCR

With numerical simulations that employ adaptive ray-tracing (ART) for radiative transfer at the same time as evolving gas magnetohydrodynamics, thermodynamics, and photochemistry, it is possible to obtain a high-resolution view of ultraviolet (UV) fields and their effects in realistic models of the multiphase interstellar medium. Here, we analyze results from TIGRESS-NCR simulations, which follow both far-UV (FUV) wavelengths, important for photoelectric heating and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon excitation, and the Lyman continuum (LyC), which photoionizes hydrogen. Considering two models, representing solar neighborhood and inner-galaxy conditions, we characterize the spatial distribution and time variation of UV radiation fields, and quantify their correlations with gas. We compare four approximate models for the FUV to simulated values to evaluate alternatives when full ART is infeasible. By convolving FUV radiation with density, we produce mock maps of dust emission. We introduce a method to calibrate mid-IR observations, for example from JWST, to obtain high-resolution gas surface density maps. We then consider the LyC radiation field, finding most of the gas exposed to this radiation to be in ionization–recombination equilibrium and to have a low neutral fraction. Additionally, we characterize the ionization parameter as a function of the environment. Using a simplified model of the LyC radiation field, we produce synthetic maps of emission measure (EM). We show that the simplified model can be used to extract an estimate of the neutral fraction of the photoionized gas and mean free path of ionizing radiation from observed EM maps in galaxies.

Outdoor physical activity is not associated with better mental health in a sample of predominantly Black people, but spending time in parks is

Spending time outdoors may bolster mental health via relaxation and physical activity. Yet, most studies use self-report and involve majority White samples from higher income areas. Findings may not hold true using device-derived measurement, among minoritized participants, or in low-income neighborhoods. Our objectives were to test whether: i) time spent outdoors in physical activity is associated with mental health; ii) the effect is modified by the positive or negative outdoor conditions (amount of greenness or vacant houses/lots encountered while outdoors); iii) there is a correlation between our measures of outdoor conditions and perceived neighborhood conditions; and iv) there is a different relationship between time spent outdoors in parks (as an indicator of intentional nature exposure) and mental health. The sample of 112 participants (87 % Black/African American persons) from 11 Detroit, MI neighborhoods wore a GPS and accelerometer for one week (May-Oct 2021) and completed a survey. We calculated exposure to greenness, vacant lots/houses while outdoors, and perceived neighborhood aesthetics. We fitted regression models for mental health measures separately and included time spent outdoors in PA, age, sex, and days with high precipitation. We then fitted models stratified by outdoor conditions. Last, we examined whether a similar relationship could be detected for time spent outdoors in parks. On average, ∼30 % of PA was conducted outdoors, and 56 % of outdoor time involved PA. We observed an unexpected positive association between outdoor PA and anxiety (coef: 0.33, 95 % CI: 0.14–0.51), depression (coef: 0.31, 95 % CI: 0.15–0.47), and perceived stress score (coef: 0.18, 95 % CI: 0.07–0.29). When stratified, we found consistent and/or larger associations for those exposed to high levels of vacant homes, high greenness (both aerial and street-level), low levels of vacant lots, and low perceived neighborhood aesthetics. Importantly and in contrast, we observed the opposite trend when examining time spent in parks (coef: −0.05, 95 % CI: −0.10--0.01). These results contrast many studies showing positive relationships between time outdoors and mental health and highlight the need for research with diverse populations and better measures of outdoor conditions and intentionality of greenspace contact.

Counting stars from the integrated spectra of galaxies

Over the last few decades, evolutionary population synthesis models have powered an unmatched leap forward in our understanding of galaxies. From dating the age of the first galaxies in the Universe to providing detailed measurements of the chemical composition of nearby galaxies, the success of this approach built upon simple stellar population (SSP) spectro-photometric models is unquestionable. However, the internal constraints inherent to the construction of SSP models can hinder our ability to analyze the integrated spectra of galaxies in situations where the SSP assumption does not sufficiently hold. Thus, here we revisit the possibilities of fitting galaxy spectra as a linear combination of stellar templates without assuming any a priori knowledge on stellar evolution. We showcase the sensitivity of this alternative approach to changes in the stellar population properties, in particular the direct connection to variations in the stellar initial mass function, as well as its advantages when dealing with noncanonical integrated populations and semi-resolved observations. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that the absorption spectra of galaxies can be used to independently constrain stellar evolution theory beyond the limited conditions of the solar neighborhood.

Teaching health disparities on the road: An experiential educational intervention for doctor of nursing practice students

AimThis analysis was conducted to understand the nuanced and underlying benefits and challenges of an experiential educational intervention for DNP students learning how neighborhoods and health disparities may be related. BackgroundPoor social and environmental conditions in many low-income urban neighborhoods are linked to deleterious health outcomes. Many of the structural and political influences are unknown to health providers, which can inhibit their understanding of the social effects on health. One aspect of a new DNP social determinants of health curriculum is a guided community bus tour in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to enhance understanding of health disparities. DesignA concurrent mixed methods design, including comparison surveys and thematic analysis, was used to analyze student responses to the experiential educational intervention. MethodA community-based bus tour implemented in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods in an urban environment was the study focus. New DNP students (n=91) in a midwestern university introductory course agreed to provide feedback following an experiential learning activity. The analysis of responses to the educational intervention was completed using a systematic thematic analysis alongside descriptive statistics and paired t-tests in a convergent mixed methods analytical approach to answer the research aim. ResultsStudents expressed confidence in naming and addressing health disparities after the bus tour activity. Analysis showed: (a) A visual tour can impact new learning, (b) Policy can explain inequity and is new to students, (c) Students do not well articulate racial disparities and (d) Understanding racial history requires attention and conversation. ConclusionA community bus tour met our expectations for teaching DNP students concepts related to health disparities as it illustrated real-life situations in actual neighborhoods. However, there were unusual student responses that prompted us to reflect on the activity and consider improvements. More emphasis needs to be placed on cultural wealth and on discussion planning for such experiences. Our results lay the groundwork for curriculum development. Setting goals and targets in line with the 2022 CDC’s Core Health Equity Science and Implementation Strategy is essential.

Neighborhood poverty and hopelessness in older adults: The mediating role of perceived neighborhood disorder.

Hopelessness is one of the strongest predictors of health and mortality, particularly for older populations. Prior research has found associations between individual-level socioeconomic factors and hopelessness, but less is known about the potential importance of neighborhood-level socioeconomic contexts for hopelessness. In particular, the role of neighborhood disorder as a potential explanatory factor for poor psychological well-being remains underexplored. This study investigates whether neighborhood poverty is associated with a sense of hopelessness among older adults and if perceived neighborhood disorder mediates the link between poverty and hopelessness. Individual-level data came from the 2014/2016 Health and Retirement Study and were merged with neighborhood-level poverty data from the 2012-2016 and 2014-2018 American Community Survey. Linear regression models were employed to examine the association between neighborhood poverty, disorder, and hopelessness. Respondents in neighborhoods with higher poverty levels reported a greater sense of hopelessness (b = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.15, p < .001), controlling for individual-level sociodemographic and health characteristics. Greater perceived neighborhood disorder was also positively associated with a sense of hopelessness (b = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.14, 0.18). When we included both neighborhood poverty and disorder in the same model, the association between neighborhood poverty and hopelessness was reduced by two thirds (b = 0.04, 95%CI = 0.0003, 0.07), while the association between perceived disorder and hopelessness remained robust (b = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.14, 0.18). We further examined the formal mediating effects of neighborhood disorder using structural equation modeling. The total effect of neighborhood poverty on hopelessness was significant (β = 0.08, bootstrapped 95%CI = 0.05, 0.10). The direct effect of neighborhood poverty was not significant (β = 0.02, bootstrapped 95% CI = -0.01, 0.04), while the indirect effect through neighborhood disorder was significant (β = 0.06, bootstrapped 95% CI = 0.05, 0.07). Neighborhood disorder mediated 75% of the association between neighborhood poverty and hopelessness. In light of these findings, improving neighborhood conditions, such as signs of disorder, may alleviate feelings of hopelessness in older adults residing in impoverished neighborhoods.

Spatial–Temporal Patterns in the Enteric Pathogen Contamination of Soil in the Public Environments of Low- and Middle-Income Neighborhoods in Nairobi, Kenya

Public spaces in countries with limited societal development can be contaminated with feces containing pathogenic microbes from animals and people. Data on contamination levels, spatial distribution, and the diversity of enteric pathogens in the public settings of low- and middle-income neighborhoods are crucial for devising strategies that minimize the enteric infection burden. The objective of this study was to compare spatial–temporal differences in the detection rate and diversity of enteric pathogens in the public spaces of low- and middle-income neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya. TaqMan array card (TAC) molecular assays were employed to analyze soil samples for 19 enteropathogens, along with a selective bacterial culture for pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. An observational assessment was conducted during every site visit to document the hygienic infrastructure and sanitation conditions at the sites. We detected at least one pathogen in 79% (127/160) and ≥2 pathogens in 67.5% (108/160) of the soil samples tested. The four most frequently detected pathogens were EAEC (67.5%), ETEC (59%), EPEC (57.5%), and STEC (31%). The detection rate (91% vs. 66%) and mean number of enteric pathogens (5 vs. 4.7) were higher in low-income Kibera than in middle-income Jericho. The more extensive spatial distribution of pathogens in Kibera resulted in increases in the detection of different enteric pathogens from within-site (area &lt; 50 m2) and across-site (across-neighborhood) movements compared to Jericho. The pathogen detection rates fluctuated seasonally in Jericho but remained at sustained high levels in Kibera. While better neighborhood conditions were linked with lower pathogen detection rates, pathogenic E. coli remained prevalent in the public environment across both neighborhoods. Future studies should focus on identifying how the sources of pathogen contamination are modified by improved environmental sanitation and hygiene and the role of these contaminated public environments in enteric infections in children.

Neighbourhood Change, Deprivation, Peripherality, and Ageing in the Yorkshire Coalfield

Low‐income neighbourhoods in contemporary England continue to be buffeted by roiling economic inequalities and social policy absences. Long‐term residents have a unique perspective on this socio‐spatial stress. This article zooms in to examine the condition of one spatial manifestation of these broader forces: peripheral council/public housing estates in the deindustrialised North of England—in this case the ex‐coalfields of West Yorkshire. Neighbourhood conditions are seen through the eyes of residents aged between 60 and 85 years. The article explores their accounts of the local economic, social, and political changes which have interlaced their experiences of work, community, and place over six decades. It also examines how irregular regeneration projects, emergency initiatives and local organising have tried to address and ameliorate structural marginalisation in recent years, not least during the Covid pandemic. The article provides a historically contingent account of contemporary socio‐spatial stress, one that emphasises the significance of long‐term residence and feelings of not only loss and nostalgia, but hopeful and resilient attachments to place.

Segregated by whom? Examining triple neighbourhood disadvantages and activity spaces in Seoul, South Korea

This study explores the potential mechanisms by which neighbourhood isolation is created and reinforced in non-home activity locations. The existing discussion on neighbourhood isolation, its consequences, and the subsequent reproduction of interactions between individuals and their environment has focused on their residential locations. However, the vitality of a neighbourhood depends not only on its own socioeconomic conditions but also on the conditions of the other neighbourhoods its residents visit and are visited by. Residential locations are only one of the many spaces in which individuals engage in their activities; therefore, to fully comprehend people’s everyday experiences of integration and isolation, it is imperative to look at interactions within both home and non-home activity spaces. Building on this extended perspective, we examine: (1) whether residential neighbourhood isolation is intensified by socioeconomic conditions individuals’ encounter in consumption and commuting activity spaces; and (2) which socioeconomic group drives the association between residential neighbourhood isolation and activity spaces—whether both disadvantaged and privileged groups contribute to isolation through the differential use of urban space or either group predominantly leads this association. We use Seoul as a case study, characterised as a city that is highly populated, contains multiple economic centres, functions with a highly affordable and efficient public transportation system, and suffers from increasing socioeconomic segregation. The results suggest that mobility patterns in activity spaces tend to reinforce neighbourhood isolation through potential forces driven by neighbourhood homophily. Isolation in the use of urban spaces appears to be driven mainly by the self-seclusion of the most advantaged neighbourhood group, while neighbourhoods in the lower socioeconomic status groups indicate broader cross-interactions across status groups, probably because of Seoul’s transit-friendly environment. Our study contributes to enhancing the understanding of spatial-societal inequalities in Korea and beyond and could assist in formulating policies for a more balanced provision of diverse urban social services and infrastructure.

Using Integrated Administrative Data for Promoting Access to Early Childhood Education Programs

Early childhood education (ECE) can significantly mitigate the detrimental effects of poverty. Head Start (HS) is a federally funded program in U.S. designed to promote school readiness for children from low-income families. Nationwide estimates suggest that HS only reaches 41% of eligible children and programs are facing under-enrollment, which highlights the importance of addressing the evolving needs. This is a secondary analysis study that utilizes real-world data to explore (a) child, family, neighborhood, and program characteristics that predict HS non/enrollment and (b) HS eligible children’s use of other public ECE programs. It employs an individual child-level integrated dataset from Iowa’s Integrated Data System for Decision-making (I2D2), including data from the State Departments of Public Health and Human Services, Education, and HS recipients. Our data is unique as one of the first systems in the U.S. that includes child-level data from HS recipients statewide. We also integrated aggregated county- and program-level datasets to include multidimensional neighborhood conditions (i.e., poverty, employment) and comprehensive information about HS programs (i.e., staffing, transportation, partnerships). Our analytic sample is 30,048 potential HS eligible children who were born in Iowa and attended kindergarten in 2016-17 or 17-18. Preliminary results showed that only 12% of eligible children were enrolled in HS the year before kindergarten. We are testing logistic and multinomial logistic regression models, and the results will be ready by the presentation. Findings will inform HS programs on improving equitable access and recruiting strategies to meet the needs of children who are most in need.

Impact of social vulnerability index on severity of obstructive sleep apnea: Insights from drug-induced sleep endoscopy

ObjectivesTo examine the association between neighborhood-level social vulnerability on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients undergoing drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). Study designSingle center retrospective cohort study. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients >18 years of age that underwent DISE from July 2016 to July 2022. Patient addresses were geocoded with geographic information systems, and spatial overlays were used to assign census-tract level social vulnerability index (SVI) scores in the four sub-themes: Socioeconomic (theme 1), Household Composition/Disability (theme 2), Minority Status/Language (theme 3), and Housing/Transportation (theme 4). ResultsThe study included 165 patients (61.2 years ± 11.6; 31.0 BMI ± 6.1, 102 male, 63 female). Mild OSA was present in13 patients; 55 patients had moderate OSA; and 97 patients had severe OSA. A higher SVI value in minority status and language, and a higher BMI both predicted an increased Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) (p = 0.042, and <0.001, respectively) in the multivariate model; whereas, race, age, gender, or the other three SVI sub-theme values were not predictive. ConclusionAdults residing in areas of greater social vulnerability – specifically a larger minority presence or English as a second language – and patients who are obese are more likely to have more severe OSA. There was no correlation, however, between obesity and residence in an area of high SVI. These results suggest that both neighborhood conditions and obesity are associated with OSA severity. This elevated risk has potential implications for diagnostic testing, clinic follow-ups, screening, and treatment plans for adults residing in disenfranchised neighborhoods. Level of evidenceIV.

Social participation of low‐income older adults in deprived urban neighborhoods in Amsterdam: A study among native Dutch, and Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish migrants in The Netherlands

AbstractThis paper explores differences in social participation among low‐income older migrants and socioeconomically similar native Dutch older adults living in deprived neighborhoods in Amsterdam. It also analyzes experiences of social participation in relation to perceived neighborhood conditions. Analysis of 85 in‐depth interviews reveals that the types of activities that low‐income older adults participate in center around less demanding (collective) rather than more demanding (political and productive) forms of social participation. Differences in social participation were associated with personal characteristics and with neighborhood experiences. The findings articulate the dynamic and complex interaction between the competencies of older adults belonging to different ethnic communities and their diverse preferences and environmental needs. Older migrants living in areas where their own group is dominant enjoyed better access to ethnic services and experienced greater opportunities for social interaction. However, when compared to their native Dutch counterparts, they were more likely to encounter language barriers and to experience specific environmental problems, such as inadequate housing conditions and paid parking.

Neighborhood environment, socioeconomic conditions, and intergenerational mobility

Intergenerational mobility (IM) has recently generated significant attention. However, the mechanisms of IM, including the neighborhood effects, are still not well understood. This research aims to advance the research on IM by emphasizing the role of neighborhood environments and their mediating effects in the United States. Our results suggest that childhood neighborhood conditions significantly affect IM, and IM is determined by childhood physical and socioeconomic status (SES) or conditions and outmigration. Specifically, we find that natural and built environments affect IM indirectly through neighborhood SES, and, therefore, the effect of SES has been overestimated. Moreover, there are complex pathways linking neighborhood SES to IM. A dense, mixed-use, and walkable neighborhood may show lower IM because such neighborhoods usually have higher concentrations of poor people and single parents. We also find that outmigration is a pathway to IM. Desirable childhood neighborhood environments and high outmigration returns lead to higher IM in rural areas than in urban areas, and also higher IM in the West North Central region than in the East South Central and South Atlantic regions, although these regions have similarly low SES. Our study highlights the significant effects of the neighborhood environment on IM.

Interactions among neighborhood conditions, sleep quality, and episodic memory across the adult lifespan

ABSTRACT Objectives On average, adults racialized as non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic sleep more poorly than adults racialized as non-Hispanic White (hereafter, Black, Hispanic, White), but associations between factors that may moderate sleep-memory associations in these groups, such as neighborhood conditions, are unclear. Poorer neighborhood conditions (e.g. lower neighborhood cohesion) may be negatively associated with sleep quality and multiplicatively influence sleep-memory associations. We hypothesized lower ratings of neighborhood conditions would be associated with poorer sleep quality and moderate the association between sleep quality and episodic memory, especially in Black and Hispanic adults, who are disproportionately situated in poor neighborhood conditions. Design Seven-hundred-thirty-six adults across the adult lifespan (27-89 years) were recruited from the northern Manhattan community as a part of the Offspring Study of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep quality was assessed using a modified version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and episodic memory was evaluated with the Buschke Selective Reminding Test. With multiple regression models, we measured associations between perceived neighborhood conditions and sleep quality and the interaction between sleep quality and neighborhood conditions on episodic memory stratified by racial/ethnic and gender identity groups. Results Overall, poorer neighborhood conditions were associated with poorer sleep quality. In Black and Hispanic women, the sleep-memory association was moderated by neighborhood conditions. With more favorable neighborhood conditions, Black women showed an association between higher sleep quality and higher memory performance, and Hispanic women showed a protective effect of neighborhood (higher memory even when sleep quality was poor). Conclusion Poorer neighborhood experiences may contribute to poorer sleep quality across groups. In Black and Hispanic women, the association between sleep quality and episodic memory performance was dependent upon neighborhood conditions. These findings may inform tailored, structural level sleep interventions, aimed to improve neighborhood experiences and thereby sleep quality and episodic memory.

Race, Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics, and Post-Release Employability among Incarcerated Men

This study examines racial differences in perceptions of neighborhood conditions and employability for men reentering society from prisons in five U.S. states. Specifically, we explore the impact of neighborhood conditions on employability and changes in perceptions of employability over time for Black and white reentrants. Findings reveal that Black individuals perceive worse neighborhood conditions and employability. Living in neighborhoods that were considered good places to find work improved perceptions of ability to find employment across racial groups. For Black men, living in neighborhoods in which it was hard to stay out of trouble was associated with decreased optimism of earning income from a job. This work contributes to the body of research focusing on the economic marginalization of justice-involved individuals.

Examining the association of neighborhood conditions on attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in autistic youth using the child opportunity index 2.0

Examining the association of neighborhood conditions on attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in autistic youth using the child opportunity index 2.0

SAVA syndemic and comorbid HIV risks among youth transitioning from the U.S. juvenile legal system

To date, no studies have examined well-established associations between substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and an increased susceptibility to HIV (also known as the SAVA syndemic), among transitioning age youth in the U.S. juvenile legal system. This secondary data analysis addresses this gap using baseline and 7th wave data from the Pathways to Desistance study (N = 709). We examined the relationship between SAVA syndemic variables, mental health, and HIV testing, differentiated by gender, while controlling for neighborhood conditions, motivation to succeed, and sociodemographic variables among cisgender, youth involved in the juvenile legal system using cross-sectional logistic regression and path models. 50% endorsed intimate partner violence. In path analyses, among males and females, neighborhoods (β = 0.18, p<.01) and illegal drug use (β= −0.91, p<.05) had significant direct effects on testing. Findings underscore the need for gender-specific HIV prevention policies targeting transitioning youth in the juvenile legal system.

A - 15 Incorporating the Child Opportunity Index and Area Deprivation Index in Sport Concussion Research

Abstract Purpose Social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status (SES) and neighborhood characteristics, are underrepresented in concussion research. We examined two measures of neighborhood advantage and opportunity among patients accessing a multidisciplinary sports concussion clinic in Greater Boston. Method We collected the Child Opportunity Index (COI) and Area Deprivation Index (ADI) state decile scores and national percentile ranks for all new patients who presented to our clinic in 2023. The COI is an index of neighborhood conditions that may impact childhood development (e.g., education quality, SES, access to healthy food) with ratings from Very Low to Very High. The ADI characterizes an area’s socioeconomic conditions (e.g., income, housing quality, employment, education), with higher scores representing more disadvantage. Results There were 247 new patients who visited the clinic (Mage = 17.5, SDage = 5.2, 47.8% Girls/Women, 81.4% White, 4.0% Black, 6.5% Asian, 4.9% Hispanic). The majority lived in an area with a High or Very High state COI (74%) and High or Very High national COI (88%). The median ADI state decile was 2.00 (IQR = 1.00–4.00) and the median national percentile was 10.00 (IQR = 5.00–18.00) (representing the highest 10% of advantage). The state deciles for the two measures were correlated (Spearman rho = 0.64), but not redundant. Conclusions The COI and ADI are important, accessible measures of SES that can be included in future studies. Patients from low SES were greatly underrepresented in the clinic compared to the population of our metropolitan area. Patients were predominantly from higher SES, consistent with prior studies suggesting socioeconomic disparities accessing specialty concussion care.

The health implications of cumulative exposure to contextual (dis)advantage: Methodological and substantive advances from a unique data linkage.

Deleterious neighborhood conditions are associated with poor health, yet the health impact of cumulative lifetime exposure to neighborhood disadvantage is understudied. Using up to five decades of residential histories for 4,177 adult participants in the Survey of Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and spatio-temporally linked neighborhood conditions, we develop four operational approaches to characterizing cumulative neighborhood (dis)advantage over the life course. We estimated their associations with self-reported general health and compared to estimates using neighborhood (dis)advantage at time of study enrollment. When cumulative exposures were assessed with the most granular temporal scale (Approach 4), neighborhood transport constraints (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.36), residential turnover (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.34), education deficit (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.32), racial segregation (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.38) and median household income (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97) were significantly associated with risk of fair or poor health. For composite neighborhood disadvantage, cumulative exposures had a stronger association (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) than the cross-sectional exposure (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06). Single point-in-time neighborhood measures underestimate the neighborhood and health relationship, underscoring the importance of a life course approach to cumulative exposure measurement.

Neighborhood mobility and racial disparities in preterm birth: A sibling study in California

Recent work finds that upward neighborhood mobility—defined as reductions in neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage due to moving—may improve birth outcomes. Less work, however, explores whether changes in socioeconomic context differentially impact birth outcomes by maternal race and ethnicity. In the US, mothers of minoritized racial and ethnic identity often experience worse neighborhood conditions and pregnancy outcomes than White mothers. Using a sibling-linked dataset, we examined whether neighborhood mobility corresponds with changes in preterm birth risk among Asian (N = 130,079), Black (N = 50,149), Hispanic (N = 429,938), and White (N = 233,428) mothers who delivered multiple live births in California between 2005 and 2015. We linked residential addresses at each birth to census-derived indices of neighborhood disadvantage and defined levels of neighborhood mobility as moving-induced changes in disadvantage between pregnancies. We mapped neighborhood mobility patterns and fit conditional logistic regression models estimating the odds of preterm birth in the sibling delivered after moving, controlling for the risk of preterm birth in the sibling delivered before moving, by maternal race and ethnicity. Dot density maps highlight racialized patterns of neighborhood mobility and segregation between Black and White mothers. Regression results show that Black and, in some cases, Asian and Hispanic mothers who experienced upward mobility (moves away from neighborhood disadvantage) exhibited reduced odds of preterm birth in the second delivery. Upward mobility did not reduce the odds of preterm birth among White mothers. Findings suggest that policies and programs that enable opportunities for neighborhood mobility may reduce persistent racial and ethnic disparities in adverse birth outcomes.