title: The difference-in-difference method: assessing the selection bias in the effects of neighborhood environment on health.
abstract: This paper uses the difference-in-difference estimation approach to explore the self-selection bias in estimating the effect of neighborhood economic environment on self-assessed health among older adults. The results indicate that there is evidence of downward bias in the conventional estimates of the effect of neighborhood economic disadvantage on self-reported health, representing a lower bound of the true effect.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, United States. Electronic address: grafovib@umdnj.edu.
authors.forename: Irina B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Grafova
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, United States.
authors.forename: Vicki A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, United States.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lurie
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, United States.
authors.forename: Rizie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, United States.
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rogowski
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015983:Selection Bias; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Difference-in-difference; Health; Neighborhhods; Self-selection