Neighborhood ecology and drug dependence mortality: an analysis of New York City census tracts.
Drug dependence mortality appears to be highly concentrated in certain disadvantaged populations and in certain disadvantaged areas. Using a relatively large sample of census tract data for New York City, 1991-1995 (N = 2,037), the present study examines the structural covariates of drug dependence mortality rates. Spatially lagged negative binomial regression analyses indicated considerable support for previous findings regarding the importance of poverty as a predictor of drug mortality. Furthermore, two variables especially relevant for the social disorganization and deviant opportunity perspectives in criminology exhibited significant independent effects: the neighborhood homeownership rate and the prevalence of boarded-up housing. The results support various policy initiatives concerned with the relationship between neighborhood environment and public health.
Hannon
Lance
L
Sociology Department, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA. lhannon@oxy.edu
Cuddy
Monica M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000850:Anomie; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires