title: Do perceived neighbourhood cohesion and safety contribute to neighbourhood differences in health?
abstract: This paper reports on a survey (N=3344) and in-depth interviews (N=80) from four socio-economically contrasting postcode areas in Adelaide. Logistic regression was used to examine locational differences in self-rated health, controlling for demographic, socio-economic factors, health behaviours, individual social capital (social networks, support, reciprocity, trust) and perceived neighbourhood cohesion and safety. Statistically significant locational differences in health emerged. Perceived neighbourhood cohesion and safety accounted for this difference. Interviews explored perceptions of cohesion and safety and found that they were intricately related and varied between the areas. The implications of the findings for understanding locational differences in health are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Southgate Institute of Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, Level 2 Health Sciences Building, North Ridge Precinct, Registry Road, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia. fran.baum@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Fran E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ziersch
authors.forename: Guangyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D012923:Social Class; D013021:South Australia