Neighborhood Influences on Health
In the 1980s, sociologists observed a strong connection between neighborhood deterioration and crime. A growing body of evidence links neighborhoods—that is, where a person lives—with health. RAND Health researchers are actively engaged in research to examine whether residential neighborhoods are associated with higher risks for certain health conditions, disparities in access to health care, and opportunities to promote health.
Profiles of Current Research
Neighborhoods and General Health
Highlights of Recent Studies
How Schools Can Help Children Recover from Traumatic Experiences
This summarizes a pro-gram guide, or tool kit, that describes a variety of school-based mental health programs for students exposed to trauma, such as Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, and community or personal violence.
How Neighborhoods Can Reduce the Risk of Obesity
. This study found that neighborhoods with parks and multiple businesses tend to promote walking and other physical activity and that neighborhood cooperation is associated with lower rates of childhood obesity.
Related Web Sites
RAND Center for Population Health and Health Disparities
Working with Congress
RAND's Washington Office of Congressional Relations (OCR) furthers RAND's mission to provide objective analysis and effective solutions by disseminating research results to Congress and federal agencies. The OCR publishes a monthly electronic newsletter featuring current work on health policy. Contact: Shirley Ruhe (Shirley_Ruhe@rand.org) or Kristy Anderson (kristy@rand.org).
The RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
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