Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson1, Lynne Messer2, Jaime Slaughter-Acey3, Dawn P Misra4. 1. Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Electronic address: ssealyjeffers@vcu.edu. 2. School of Community Health, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University, Portland, OR. 3. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Doctoral Nursing Program, College of Nursing & Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. 4. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The inter-relationships between objective (census based) and subjective (resident reported) measures of the residential environment is understudied in African American (AA) populations. METHODS: Using data from the Life Influences on Fetal Environments Study (2009-2011; n = 1387) of AA women, we quantified the area-level variation in subjective reports of residential healthy food availability, walkability, safety, and disorder that can be accounted for with an objective neighborhood disadvantage index (NDI). Two-level generalized linear models estimated associations between objective and subjective measures of the residential environment, accounting for individual-level covariates. RESULTS: In unconditional models, intraclass correlation coefficients for block-group variance in subjective reports ranged from 11% (healthy food availability) to 30% (safety). Models accounting for the NDI (vs. both NDI and individual-level covariates) accounted for more variance in healthy food availability (23% vs. 8%) and social disorder (40% vs. 38%). The NDI and individual-level variables accounted for 39% and 51% of the area-level variation in walkability and safety, respectively. Associations between subjective and objective measures of the residential environment were significant and in the expected direction. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies on neighborhood effects on health, especially among AAs, should include a wide range of residential environment measures, including subjective, objective, and spatial contextual variables.
PURPOSE: The inter-relationships between objective (census based) and subjective (resident reported) measures of the residential environment is understudied in African American (AA) populations. METHODS: Using data from the Life Influences on Fetal Environments Study (2009-2011; n = 1387) of AA women, we quantified the area-level variation in subjective reports of residential healthy food availability, walkability, safety, and disorder that can be accounted for with an objective neighborhood disadvantage index (NDI). Two-level generalized linear models estimated associations between objective and subjective measures of the residential environment, accounting for individual-level covariates. RESULTS: In unconditional models, intraclass correlation coefficients for block-group variance in subjective reports ranged from 11% (healthy food availability) to 30% (safety). Models accounting for the NDI (vs. both NDI and individual-level covariates) accounted for more variance in healthy food availability (23% vs. 8%) and social disorder (40% vs. 38%). The NDI and individual-level variables accounted for 39% and 51% of the area-level variation in walkability and safety, respectively. Associations between subjective and objective measures of the residential environment were significant and in the expected direction. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies on neighborhood effects on health, especially among AAs, should include a wide range of residential environment measures, including subjective, objective, and spatial contextual variables.
Authors: T Ståhl; A Rütten; D Nutbeam; A Bauman; L Kannas; T Abel; G Lüschen; D J Rodriquez; J Vinck; J van der Zee Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2001-01 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: A V Diez-Roux; C I Kiefe; D R Jacobs; M Haan; S A Jackson; F J Nieto; C C Paton; R Schulz; A V Roux Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2001-08 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Nancy Krieger; Jarvis T Chen; Pamela D Waterman; Mah-Jabeen Soobader; S V Subramanian; Rosa Carson Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2002-09-01 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Lynne C Messer; Barbara A Laraia; Jay S Kaufman; Janet Eyster; Claudia Holzman; Jennifer Culhane; Irma Elo; Jessica G Burke; Patricia O'Campo Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 3.671