Neighborhood Characteristics

Characteristics of the neighborhoods in which people live, work, and go to school are an important element of spatial context. Neighborhoods can have a strong influence on people's ability to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including their ability to get adequate exercise, eat healthy foods, and avoid the use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

• Exercise - Spatial context factors include neighborhood walkability and access to parks.
• Healthy Diet - Spatial context factors include access to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• Tobacco Use - Spatial context factors include the presence or absence of smoke free policies and the proximity of tobacco outlets to schools.
• Drug and Alcohol Use - Spatial context factors include crime rates and the prevalence of risky sexual behavior.

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Links & References

• NIH Obesity Research Task Force
• HINTS Knowledge Map – Does smoking cause cancer?

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