Neighborhood physical conditions and health.
OBJECTIVE
We explored the relationship between boarded-up housing and rates of gonorrhea and premature mortality.


METHODS
In this ecological study of 107 US cities, we developed several models predicting rates of gonorrhea and premature death before age 65 from all causes and from specific causes. We controlled for race, poverty, education, population change, and health insurance coverage.


RESULTS
Boarded-up housing remained a predictor of gonorrhea rates, all-cause premature mortality, and premature mortality due to malignant neoplasms, diabetes, homicide, and suicide after control for sociodemographic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Boarded-up housing may be related to mortality risk because of its potential adverse impact on social relationships and opportunities to engage in healthful behaviors. Neighborhood physical conditions deserve further consideration as a potential global factor influencing health and well-being.
Cohen
Deborah A
DA
RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA. dcohen@rand.org
Mason
Karen
K
Bedimo
Ariane
A
Scribner
Richard
R
Basolo
Victoria
V
Farley
Thomas A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D019352:Censuses; D004777:Environment; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006798:Housing / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*