8.7: Neighborhood and Built Environment
The neighborhood that you live in can have a significant impact on several dimensions of your health. Built environments refer to the places that humans create to live, work and play in - the homes, schools, stores, and community centers that create neighborhoods and cities.
Consider your own neighborhood where you currently live. Are there grocery stores within a convenient distance that offer affordable healthy foods like fresh produce, grains, and protein sources? Does your neighborhood have trees, greenspaces, and parks for adults and children to walk and play in? Are the public schools well-funded, safe, and supporting academic success for their students? Are the streets safe for people to walk and bike? Are residents protected from environmental hazards like lead, pollution, and water contaminants in their homes? Are crime rates in the community low? Do people who live there feel connected to their neighbors and supported by their community? Are there many hubs for community engagement across all ages: like community centers, sports and recreation clubs, and religious and philanthropic organizations? The answers to these questions define this category of the social determinants of health.