Neighborhood Ratings and Older Adult Health
Author Information
Author(s): Andresen Elena M, Malmstrom Theodore K, Wolinsky Fredric D, Schootman Mario, Miller J Philip, Miller Douglas K
Primary Institution: University of Florida Health Sciences Center
Hypothesis
Neighborhood quality affects health outcomes in older adults.
Conclusion
Observer ratings show promise in understanding the effect of neighborhood on health outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Neighborhood ratings were completed for nearly all subjects who agreed to the in-home interview.
- Strong differences in neighborhood ratings were observed between inner city and suburban areas.
- The adapted rating scale produced a striking difference of 2.94 points between inner city and suburban neighborhoods.
Takeaway
This study shows that how we rate neighborhoods can help us understand how they affect people's health.
Methodology
Interviewers rated neighborhoods based on a scale assessing various conditions in two St. Louis areas.
Potential Biases
Interviewer variability in ratings may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's results may not extend to other urban areas and populations due to its focus on a single minority group.
Participant Demographics
998 African American adults aged 49 to 65, with 41.8% men and a mean age of 56.8 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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