Neighborhoods and disability in later life

Abstract

This paper uses the US Health and Retirement Study to explore linkages between neighborhood conditions and stages of the disablement process among adults ages 55 and older in the United States. We consider multiple dimensions of the neighborhood including the built environment as well as social and economic conditions. In doing so, we use factor analysis to reduce indicators into eight neighborhood scales, which we incorporate into two-level logistic regression models along with controls for individual-level factors. We find evidence that economic conditions and the built environment, but not social conditions, matter. Neighborhood economic advantage is associated with a reduced risk of lower body limitations for both men and women. We also find for men that neighborhood economic disadvantage is linked to increased chances of reporting personal care limitations, particularly for those ages 55-64, and that high connectivity of the built environment is associated with reduced risk of limitations in instrumental activities. Our findings highlight the distinctive benefits of neighborhood economic advantage early in the disablement process. In addition, findings underscore the need for attention in the design and evaluation of disabilityprevention efforts to the benefits that accrue from more physically connected communities and to the potential harm that may arise in later life from living in economically disadvantaged areas.

Neighborhood Environment and Health Status and Mortality Among Veterans

“…Neighborhood walkability is a potentially modifiable factor that refers to how conducive the environment is to walking and has been associated with levels of physical activity, reduced risk of disability, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. [13][14][15][16] Key components of walkability include residential density, street pattern or connectivity, mixed land use, and pedestrian infrastructure. [15][16][17][18][19][20] The number or density of intersections, called street connectivity, captures the directness of routes between destinations and has shown to be a significant predictor of walking.…”

Neighborhood Eating and Activity Advocacy Teams (NEAAT): engaging older adults in policy activities to improve food and physical environments

“…Recent experimental evidence suggests these neighborhood characteristics may contribute to obesity and diabetes [5]. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to less favorable neighborhood environments given reduced physical function and mobility impairments [6]. By the same token, older adults can benefit from living in favorable environments.…”

Ageing and Urbanization: Can Cities be Designed to Foster Active Ageing?

“…This was associated with many outcomes in cross-sectional research, even after adjustment for individual characteristics, including depression, [51][52][53] 67 and disability. [68][69][70][71] Other studies failed to find an association. [72][73][74] A causative role for neighbourhood disadvantage in these associations is supported by a number of longitudinal studies, which have found similar effects after accounting for individual level characteristics.…”