@article {https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12963, title = {Racial/ethnic differences in living arrangements, distant relations, and later-life mental health}, journal = {Journal of Marriage and Family}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Abstract Objective This research investigates associations between living arrangements and older adults{\textquoteright} depressive symptoms and whether these associations are moderated by extended family, friends, and neighborhoods for White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Background The drastic marriage and kinship decline since the 1970s has raised growing concerns about aging alone in both the public and scholarship. This paper adopts critical race theory to examine the social convoy model which argues that distant networks will fill in to protect individuals from stressors in the absence of proximal relations. Methods This paper applies multilevel mixed-effects linear models to 2006{\textendash}2018 waves of Health and Retirement Study (N = 44,304 obs., with 32,599 White, 7028 Black, and 4677 Hispanics). Results While married couples living alone have the best mental health among Whites, co-residing with both spouses/partners and children (the intergenerational coresidence) is associated with the lowest depressive symptoms for Black and Hispanic older adults. Moreover, strong social support from extended family and friends and a high level of neighborhood social cohesion can significantly mitigate increased depressive symptoms associated with living alone or with others only (people other than spouses/partners and children) for Whites, but not for Blacks and Hispanics. Conclusion This research challenges the paradigm that considers {\textquotedblleft}married couples living alone{\textquotedblright} as a normalized family structure. It also emphasizes the {\textquotedblleft}double plight{\textquotedblright} of Black and Hispanic older adults, who show both a disproportionate decline in family ties and a lack of supportive distant relations serving as buffer zones in the absence of spouses and children.}, keywords = {Family Relations, friendship, Mental Health, Neighborhoods, Older Adults, race}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12963}, author = {Liu, Jingwen} } @article {12728, title = {Sociodemographic Factors and Neighborhood/Environmental Conditions Associated with Social Isolation Among Black Older Adults.}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, volume = {35}, year = {2023}, pages = {294-306}, abstract = {

To investigate sociodemographic factors and neighborhood/environmental conditions associated with social isolation (SI) among Black older adults. We utilized data from the 2014 and 2016 Leave-Behind Questionnaire from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS LBQ) among those who self-identified as Black ( = 2.323). Outcome variables for our study included SI from adult children, other family members, friends, disengagement from social participation and religious services, being unmarried, and living alone. These indicators were also combined into an overall SI index. Critical predictors included gender, age, household income, education, employment status, neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood disorder, urbanicity, and region of residence. Sociodemographic factors of gender, education and household income were significantly associated with SI indicators. Additionally, some neighborhood/environmental conditions were associated with SI indicators. SI was found to be patterned by sociodemographic factors. These results can be used to develop effective interventions to mitigate SI among Black older adults.

}, keywords = {African Americans, environment, Leave Behind Questionnaire, Neighborhoods, Social Support}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/08982643221118427}, author = {Taylor, Harry O and Tsuchiya, Kazumi and Nguyen, Ann W and Mueller, Collin} } @article {11719, title = {Cognition in context: Pathways and compound risk in a sample of US non-Hispanic whites.}, journal = {Social Science \& Medicine}, volume = {283}, year = {2021}, pages = {114183}, abstract = {

The population of individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia is growing rapidly, necessitating etiological investigation. It is clear that individual differences in cognition later in life have both genetic and multi-level environmental correlates. Despite significant recent progress in cellular and molecular research, the exact mechanisms linking genes, brains, and cognition remain elusive. In relation to cognition, it is unlikely that genetic and environmental risk factors function in a vacuum, but rather interact and cluster together. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether aspects of individual socioeconomic status (SES) explain the cognitive genotype-phenotype association, and whether neighborhood SES modifies the effects of genes and individual SES on cognitive ability. Using data from non-Hispanic White participants in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, a national sample of United States adults, we examined links between a polygenic score for general cognition and performance-based cognitive functioning. In a series of weighted linear regressions and formal tests of mediation, we observed a significant genotype-phenotype association that was partially attenuated after including individual education to the baseline model, although little reductions were observed for household wealth or census tract-level percent poverty. These findings suggest that genetic risk for poor cognition is partially explained by education, and this pathway is not modified by poverty-level of the neighborhood.

}, keywords = {Cognition, Education, Neighborhoods, polygenic score, Poverty, Wealth}, issn = {1873-5347}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114183}, author = {Jennifer W Robinette and Jason D Boardman} } @article {11560, title = {Examining the association between perceived neighbourhood safety and health services utilization: A cross-sectional study among older adults in the United States of America.}, journal = {The Journal of Health Services Research \& Policy}, volume = {26}, year = {2021}, pages = {151-162}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between perceived neighbourhood safety and health services use among older adults.

METHODS: The Health and Retirement Study was used to assess the association of perceived neighbourhood safety with inpatient hospital utilization, contact with a physician, home health use, and any health services utilization in the United States of America (n = 10,844). Logistic regression models were used, while controlling for a large number of potential confounders.

RESULTS: The odds of any contact with a physician were greater among those who perceived their neighbourhood safety to be excellent (odds ratio (OR): 1.81, 95\% confidence interval (CI): 1.20, 2.72) or very good (OR: 1.56, 95\% CI: 1.04, 2.32) compared with those who perceived their neighbourhood safety as fair or poor, controlling for all model covariates. The odds of any health services utilization were greater among those who perceived their neighbourhood safety to be excellent (OR: 1.95, 95\% CI: 1.26, 3.00) or very good (OR: 1.63, 95\% CI: 1.06, 2.50) compared with those who perceived their neighbourhood safety as fair or poor controlling for all other model covariates. The odds of inpatient care were higher among those who perceived their neighbourhood to be excellent compared with those who compared their neighbourhood to be fair/poor (OR: 1.22, 95\% CI: 1.01, 1.48). Results were not statistically significant for home health utilization.

CONCLUSIONS: These analyses show a relationship between perceived neighbourhood safety and contact with a physician and any health services utilization among older adults and a weaker relationship between perceived neighbourhood safety and inpatient services. Future research should continue to examine this relationship between perceived neighbourhood safety and health services utilization among older adults.

}, keywords = {Health Services, Neighborhoods, perceived safety, utilization}, issn = {1758-1060}, doi = {10.1177/1355819621997487}, author = {Grinshteyn, Erin G} } @article {10502, title = {Exploring the Consequences of Major Lifetime Discrimination, Neighborhood Conditions, Chronic Work, and Everyday Discrimination on Health and Retirement}, journal = {Journal of Applied Gerontology}, volume = {40}, year = {2021}, pages = {121-131}, abstract = {This study examines the associations of multiple forms of perceived discrimination and negative neighborhood conditions with mental health and retirement age. Respondents aged above 51 years from the Health and Retirement Study were selected in 2006 and surveyed through 2014. Ordinary least squares regression evaluated associations. Bias-corrected bootstrap resampling method tested whether mental health mediated the relationships between disadvantages and retirement age. Major lifetime and work discrimination, as well as neighborhood conditions, were directly associated with earlier retirement. Individuals who did not experience disadvantages retired at age 65, whereas respondents with the highest levels of disadvantage retired earlier (at age 62). Mental health partially mediated relationships between major lifetime discrimination, neighborhood conditions, and work discrimination with retirement age, whereas mental health fully mediated the relationship between everyday discrimination and retirement age. Efforts to promote civil rights, reduce discrimination, and enhance individual resilience may promote mental health and capacity to work longer.}, keywords = {Discrimination, Neighborhoods, Work}, isbn = {0733-4648}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464819892847}, author = {Guillermo Ernest Gonzales and Yeonjung Jane Lee and Lisa A Marchiondo} } @article {ijerph18052661, title = {Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Cognitive Functioning among Diverse Older Adults: An Intersectional Approach}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {18}, year = {2021}, pages = {1-14}, abstract = {Unfavorable neighborhood conditions are linked to health disparities. Yet, a dearth of literature examines how neighborhood characteristics contribute to cognitive health in diverse samples of older adults. The present study uses an intersectional approach to examine how race/ethnicity, gender, and education moderate the association between neighborhood perceptions and cognitive functioning in later life. We used data from adults >=65 years old (n = 8023) in the 2010{\textendash}2016 waves of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We conducted race/ethnicity-stratified linear regression models where cognitive functioning, measured using the 35-point Telephone Interview Cognitive Screen (TICS), was regressed on three neighborhood characteristics{\textemdash}cleanliness, safety, and social cohesion. We examine whether there is heterogeneity within race/ethnicity by testing if and how the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning differs by gender and education. Among White adults, worse neighborhood characteristics were associated with lower cognitive functioning among those with less education. However, for Black adults, poor perceived quality of one{\textquoteright}s neighborhood was associated with worse cognitive functioning among those with more years of education compared to those with fewer years of education. Among Mexicans, perceived neighborhood uncleanliness was associated with lower cognitive functioning among those with less education, but higher cognitive functioning for those with higher levels of education. Thus, this study contributes to the literature on racial/ethnic disparities in cognitive aging disparities by examining neighborhood contextual factors as determinants of cognitive functioning. In particular, we find that higher education in the context of less favorable neighborhood environments does not confer the same benefits to cognitive functioning among all older adults.}, keywords = {cognitive functioning, Health Disparities, Intersectionality, Neighborhoods, Older Adults}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph18052661}, author = {Amy D Thierry and Kyler J. Sherman-Wilkins and Armendariz, Marina and Allison R Sullivan and Heather R. Farmer} } @article {10890, title = {1493-P: The Impact of Adverse Social Determinants on Health Care Utilization and Expenditures among U.S. Adults with DKD}, journal = {Diabetes}, volume = {69}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Introduction: This study examined whether adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with higher health care utilization and out of pocket (OOP) expenditures in U.S. adults with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: Data from 458 adults with self-reported DKD age >=50 from the Health and Retirement Study 2008-2012 was analyzed. Primary outcomes were number of hospital overnight stays (HOS), number of physician visits (PV) and OOP expenditures. Primary independent variables were nine adverse SDOH factors clustered around three SDOH domains: psychosocial (depression, perceived social support and discrimination); financial hardship (difficulty paying bills, food insecurity, medication cost non-adherence); neighborhood (neighborhood social cohesion, social participation and physical disorder). Two variables were created, a continuous 0-9 and a categorical variable of 0, 1-2, 3+. We used negative binomial regression and marginalized two-part models to determine the impact of adverse SDOH on outcomes. Results: In the unadjusted model, compared to adults with no adverse SDOH, adults with 3+ adverse SDOH had 3\% lower likelihood of PV (95\%CI 0.72-1.29), 75\% (95\%CI 1.10-2.79) and 87\% (95\%CI 1.31-2.65) higher likelihood of HOS and OOP expenditures respectively. In the adjusted model, having 3+ adverse SDOH was not significantly associated with PV (Ratio 0.94 95\%CI 0.69-1.29) or HOS (Ratio 1.53 95\%CI 0.93-2.49) but was associated with a 2-fold higher likelihood of OOP expenditures (95\% CI 1.60-3.31). Adverse neighborhood factors were associated with 63\% higher likelihood of HOS (adjusted 95\% CI 1.19-2.24) and financial hardship factors were associated with 85\% higher likelihood of OOP expenditures (adjusted 95\% CI 1.42-2.41). Conclusions: Our findings suggest having 3+ adverse SDOH especially financial hardship impacts OOP expenditures in adults with DKD. Interventions targeting adults with 3+ adverse SDOH may significantly decrease OOP expenditures in DKD.}, keywords = {Diabetes Mellitus, Expenditures, Food security, Health Services Utilization, Kidney diseases, Medical Sciences{\textendash}Endocrinology, Neighborhoods, Regression Analysis, Social interactions, United States{\textendash}US}, isbn = {00121797}, doi = {10.2337/db20-1493-P}, author = {Mukoso N. Ozieh and Emma Garacci and Rebekah J Walker and Leonard E Egede} } @article {10874, title = {Neighborhood Disorder, Social Ties, and Preventive Healthcare Utilization among Urban-Dwelling Older Adults}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This research examines whether perceived neighborhood disorder influences the use of preventive healthcare services (i.e. influenza vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, cholesterol screening, colonoscopy, and dental care) by older adults and whether social ties buffer the potential adverse effects of perceived neighborhood disorder. Methods: Using data from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, binary logistic regression was used to generate odds ratio estimates of preventive healthcare use in the past 2 years. Results: We find that greater levels of neighborhood disorder were associated with fewer dental care visits net of social and health factors. Regular participation in four or more social activities was associated with decreased odds of restricted use and increased odds of receiving a pneumonia vaccine and colonoscopy. Discussion: This research provides evidence that perceived neighborhood disorder may act as a barrier for specific preventive healthcare services and highlights the need for targeted intervention.}, keywords = {environment, healthcare utilization, neighborhood disorder, Neighborhoods, preventive health care, Social Support, social ties}, doi = {10.1177/0898264320929544}, author = {Kenzie Latham-Mintus and Ashley Vowels and Swapnali Chavan} } @mastersthesis {10949, title = {Neighbourhood effects, local crime and mental health: longitudinal analyses over the life course}, volume = {Doctor of Philosophy}, year = {2020}, school = {The University of Edinburgh}, address = {Edinburgh}, abstract = {Mental health conditions are major contributors to global disability and suffering, with a substantial social and economic burden. Besides well-established individuallevel biopsychosocial determinants, emerging literature emphasises that social and physical features of the residential environment are associated with mental health. However, there is a limited understanding of how, where and for whom neighbourhood matters for mental health, partly because of the methodological shortcomings of existing literature. This thesis takes a longitudinal approach to examine the links between place-based factors, in particular neighbourhood crime, and anxiety, depression and psychosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between local crime and mental disorders sets the context for the thesis. Based on 50 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, random-effects meta-analyses indicated higher risk of depression and psychological distress in high crime areas; for anxiety and psychosis there was only limited evidence. Associations varied by study design (longitudinal versus cross-sectional), type of crime measurement (perceived versus objective) and between different age groups. Importantly, the review identified research gaps, which were the focus of the following chapters. The thesis was structured around four longitudinal investigations, two utilizing perceived and two objective neighbourhood measurements. First, available evidence in the field is limited to a few countries and there is no information on country-level heterogeneity. Data on perceived neighbourhood conditions and depression from 16 countries were utilised across three ageing cohorts (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing; Health and Retirement Study; Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe [SHARE]) capturing adults aged 50 and over (n=32,531). Findings indicated elevated risk of depression amongst participants living in an area with perceived neighbourhood disorder (including crime) or with lack of social cohesion. Further analyses uncovered cross-level interactions by income inequality, population density and air pollution for social cohesion and by forest coverage for neighbourhood disorder. Second, neighbourhood effects might be determined by vulnerability build up over the life course; however, no information is available on the long-term impact of childhood stressors, a sensitive period in human development. Prospective and retrospective data on adults aged 50 and over (n=10,328), were analysed from the SHARE survey. In addition to a higher risk of depression when living in areas with perceived neighbourhood nuisances (including crime), and lower in areas with good access to neighbourhood services, childhood socioeconomic conditions modified neighbourhood effects. Older adults who grew up in better childhood circumstances benefited more from neighbourhood resources, but they were at higher risk of depression when exposed to neighbourhood problems. Third, there is a lack of understanding of different neighbourhood crime and mental health associations across psychiatric conditions. A large data-linkage study (Scottish Longitudinal Study [SLS]), on small area-level crime rates and prescribed psychotropic medications was carried out (n=129,945). Findings indicated higher risk of antidepressants and antipsychotics, but not anxiolytics medications in high crime areas. Moreover, there was higher risk of antidepressants prescriptions among adults aged 24-53 in 2009, antipsychotics among men aged 44-53 in 2009, and among those in the middle of the social ladder, when living in high crime areas. Fourth, although changing levels of neighbourhood exposure may help in understanding the causal relationship between context and health, very few studies have utilised repeated measurements of small area-level crime. Analysis based on the previous study (SLS) with additional linkage for three consecutive area crime measurements were carried out, to explore the association of changing crime rates with self-reported mental illness and prescribed medications among residential stayers and movers (n=112,251). Recent increase in crime exposure was associated with mental health problems among stayers aged 16-30 (self-reported mental illness, antidepressants), and among movers aged 31-45 (self-reported mental illness, antipsychotic medication). After excluding individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, findings suggested causation for the former, and health selective migration for the latter group. Neighbourhood crime and other contextual factors in the residential area are significant determinants of mental health, but associations differ by childhood and adult socioeconomic conditions, across sex and age groups, and between anxiety, depressive and psychotic disorders. Place-based interventions aimed at reducing crime, supporting social cohesion and allocating targeted mental health preventions and services in the vicinity of high crime areas, may have long-term benefits for residents{\textquoteright} mental health, especially for those more vulnerable. Future research should investigate the relationship between area stressors and mental health by exploring direct and indirect pathways, studying crime effects at different geographical levels, and applying the life course framework.}, keywords = {Crime, Mental Health, Neighborhoods}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/499}, author = {Baranyi, Gerg{\H o}} } @article {9960, title = {Differential vulnerability to neighbourhood disorder: a gene{\texttimes}environment interaction study}, journal = {Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health}, volume = {73}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, pages = {388-392}, abstract = {Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is preventable, it is increasing in prevalence and it is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Importantly, residents of neighbourhoods with high levels of disorder are more likely to develop T2D than those living in less disordered neighbourhoods and neighbourhood disorder may exacerbate genetic risk for T2D. Method: We use genetic, self-reported neighbourhood, and health data from the Health and Retirement Study. We conducted weighted logistic regression analyses in which neighbourhood disorder, polygenic scores for T2D and their interaction predicted T2D. Results: Greater perceptions of neighbourhood disorder (OR=1.11, p<0.001) and higher polygenic scores for T2D (OR=1.42, p<0.001) were each significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of T2D. Furthermore, living in a neighbourhood perceived as having high levels of disorder exacerbated genetic risk for T2D (OR=1.10, p=0.001). This significant gene{\texttimes}environment interaction was observed after adjusting for years of schooling, age, gender, levels of physical activity and obesity. Conclusion: Findings in the present study suggested that minimising people{\textquoteright}s exposure to vandalism, vacant buildings, trash and circumstances viewed by residents as unsafe may reduce the burden of this prevalent chronic health condition, particularly for subgroups of the population who carry genetic liability for T2D.}, keywords = {Diabetes, Genetics, Neighborhoods}, issn = {0143-005X}, doi = {10.1136/jech-2018-211373}, url = {http://jech.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/jech-2018-211373https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1136/jech-2018-211373}, author = {Jennifer W Robinette and Jason D Boardman and Eileen M. Crimmins} } @article {10085, title = {Unique effects of perceived neighborhood physical disorder and social cohesion on episodic memory and semantic fluency.}, journal = {Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

Objective: Objective measures of neighborhood quality are associated with physical and mental health outcomes for older adults, but the relationship between perceived neighborhood quality and cognitive health has not been fully explored. Furthermore, positive and negative neighborhood characteristics may influence cognition through different mechanisms. The present study aimed to determine whether perceptions of neighborhood quality predict cognitive functioning in two domains, above and beyond individual-level risk factors, in a nationally representative sample of older adults.

Method: Using cross-sectional weighted data from 13,919 participants aged 51 and older from the Health and Retirement Study, linear regression models tested independent associations between perceived neighborhood quality (physical disorder and social cohesion) and cognition (episodic memory and semantic verbal fluency), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease burden, and depressive symptoms. Interaction terms tested whether neighborhood social cohesion moderated the relationship between neighborhood physical disorder and each cognitive outcome.

Results: Perception of greater neighborhood physical disorder was significantly associated with worse episodic memory, while perception of lower neighborhood social cohesion was significantly associated with worse semantic fluency. There were no significant interactions between physical disorder and social cohesion.

Conclusions: Results provide preliminary evidence for different mechanisms underlying associations between aspects of neighborhood quality and cognition (e.g., stress vs. social interaction). Additional intervention work is needed to determine whether improving neighborhood physical conditions and promoting social cohesion at the neighborhood level could reduce cognitive morbidity among older adults.

}, keywords = {Memory, Neighborhoods, Perception, Social Support}, issn = {1873-5843}, doi = {10.1093/arclin/acy098}, author = {Afsara B. Zaheed and Sharifian, Neika and A Zarina Kraal and Sol, Ketlyne and Hence, Alyssia and Laura B Zahodne} } @article {9080, title = {Neighborhood disorder and sleep problems in older adults: Subjective social power as mediator and moderator}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {58}, year = {2018}, abstract = {

Background and Objectives: Contextual contributors to sleep problems are important to examine among older adults because sleep problems are associated with a number of adverse outcomes in late life. We examine whether disordered neighborhoods are a key contextual determinant of sleep problems in late life, as well as how subjective social power-a sense of personal control and subjective social status-mediates and moderates this association. Central to this contribution is the use of econometric techniques that holistically control for time-stable factors that may bias estimated associations.

Research Design and Methods: Three waves (2006, 2010, 2014) of the psychosocial subsample of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 7,130) are analyzed with random-effects models that adjust for repeated observations, as well as fixed-effects models that additionally control for all time-stable confounders.

Results: Neighborhood disorder is associated with greater sleep problems in random-effects models, but this association is substantially weakened in a fixed-effects model. Personal control mediates this association, but does not moderate it. Subjective social status does not mediate the association, but does moderate it.

Discussion and Implications: Although neighborhood disorder is associated with sleep problems in older adults, this association is likely to be overestimated in analyses that do not compressively control for time-stable confounders. Rather than acting as dual mediators and moderators, perceived control and subjective social status play distinct roles in this association, with seniors at lower levels of subjective social status especially at risk for sleep problems due to neighborhood disorder.

}, keywords = {Neighborhoods, Psychosocial, Sleep, Social Relationships}, issn = {1758-5341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnx049}, author = {Bierman, Alex and Lee, Yeonjung and Schieman, Scott} } @article {9481, title = {Neighborhoods, sleep quality, and cognitive decline: Does where you live and how well you sleep matter?}, journal = {Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s \& Dementia}, volume = {14}, year = {2018}, pages = {454-461}, abstract = {Introduction We evaluated the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and sleep quality on cognitive decline in the Health and Retirement Study. Methods Health and Retirement Study participants (n = 8090), aged 65+ with DNA and multiple biennial cognitive observations (abbreviated Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status), were included. Participants were grouped into quartiles of NSES and sleep quality scores. We adjusted for apolipoprotein E ε4, demographic, and cardiovascular risk factors. Random effects modeling evaluated cognitive change over time. Results NSES and sleep were significantly associated with cognitive decline, and there was a significant interaction between them (P = .02). Significant differences between high/low NSES and high/low sleep quality (P < .0001) were found. Discussion Sleep and NSES were associated with cognitive decline; the association between sleep and cognition appeared stronger among those with low NSES. The association between low NSES, poor sleep quality, and cognitive decline was roughly equivalent to the association between apolipoprotein E ε4 and cognitive decline.}, keywords = {Cognitive Ability, Neighborhoods, Sleep, Socioeconomic factors}, issn = {15525260}, doi = {10.1016/j.jalz.2017.10.007}, url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29396109/}, author = {Jaimie C Hunter and Elizabeth P. Handing and Casanova, Ramon and Kuchibhatla, Maragatha and Michael W Lutz and Saldana, Santiago and Brenda L Plassman and Kathleen M Hayden} } @article {9584, title = {Productive aging via volunteering: Does social cohesion influence level of engagement?}, journal = {Journal of Gerontological Social Work}, volume = {61}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This study investigated whether neighborhood social cohesion influenced volunteer intensity over two years. The sample was drawn from Health and Retirement Study respondents who completed the 2010 or 2012 Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaire (n = 12,929). Results showed that compared to nonvolunteers, a one-unit increase in neighborhood social cohesion increased the odds of moderate (OR: 1.07, p < .05) and high volunteering (OR: 1.10, p < .001). However, other productive roles, social contact, and education were significant in distinguishing high intensity from moderate volunteering while neighborhood social cohesion was not. Social workers should consider the neighborhood environment when recruiting volunteers.}, keywords = {Neighborhoods, Social Support, Volunteerism}, issn = {1540-4048}, doi = {10.1080/01634372.2018.1467523}, author = {Kimberly J. Johnson and Kenzie Latham-Mintus and Judith L Poey} } @article {9452, title = {Neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood disorder, and cardiometabolic risk.}, journal = {Social Science \& Medicine}, volume = {198}, year = {2017}, pages = {70-76}, abstract = {Perceptions of neighborhood disorder (trash, vandalism) and cohesion (neighbors trust one another) are related to residents{\textquoteright} health. Affective and behavioral factors have been identified, but often in studies using geographically select samples. We use a nationally representative sample (n = 9032) of United States older adults from the Health and Retirement Study to examine cardiometabolic risk in relation to perceptions of neighborhood cohesion and disorder. Lower cohesion is significantly related to greater cardiometabolic risk in 2006/2008 and predicts greater risk four years later (2010/2012). The longitudinal relation is partially accounted for by anxiety and physical activity.}, keywords = {Depressive symptoms, Neighborhoods, Social Relationships}, issn = {1873-5347}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.12.025}, author = {Jennifer W Robinette and Susan T Charles and Tara L Gruenewald} } @article {8967, title = {Neighborhood Differences in Post-Stroke Mortality.}, journal = {Circulaton. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes}, volume = {10}, year = {2017}, month = {02/2017}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke mortality is higher among residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods, but it is not known whether neighborhood inequalities are specific to stroke survival or similar to mortality patterns in the general population. We hypothesized that neighborhood disadvantage would predict higher poststroke mortality, and neighborhood effects would be relatively larger for stroke patients than for individuals with no history of stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Health and Retirement Study participants aged >=50 years without stroke at baseline (n=15 560) were followed <=12 years for incident stroke (1715 events over 159 286 person-years) and mortality (5325 deaths). Baseline neighborhood characteristics included objective measures based on census tracts (family income, poverty, deprivation, residential stability, and percent white, black, or foreign-born) and self-reported neighborhood social ties. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we compared neighborhood mortality effects for people with versus people without a history of stroke. Most neighborhood variables predicted mortality for both stroke patients and the general population in demographic-adjusted models. Neighborhood percent white predicted lower mortality for stroke survivors (hazard ratio, 0.75 for neighborhoods in highest 25th percentile versus below, 95\% confidence interval, 0.62-0.91) more strongly than for stroke-free adults (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95\% confidence interval, 0.83-1.02; P=0.04 for stroke-by-neighborhood interaction). No other neighborhood characteristic had different effects for people with versus without stroke. Neighborhood-mortality associations emerged within 3 months after stroke, when associations were often stronger than among stroke-free individuals.

CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood characteristics predict mortality, but most effects are similar for individuals without stroke. Eliminating disparities in stroke survival may require addressing pathways that are not specific to traditional poststroke care.

}, keywords = {Mortality, Neighborhoods, Older Adults, Stroke}, issn = {1941-7705}, doi = {10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.116.002547}, author = {Theresa L Osypuk and Amy Ehntholt and J Robin Moon and Paola Gilsanz and M. Maria Glymour} } @article {8901, title = {Neighborhood Environment and Falls among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {14}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Feb 10}, abstract = {

Background: Falls present a major challenge to active aging, but the relationship between neighborhood factors and falls is poorly understood. This study examined the relationship between fall events and neighborhood factors, including neighborhood social cohesion (sense of belonging, trust, friendliness, and helpfulness) and physical environment (vandalism/graffiti, rubbish, vacant/deserted houses, and perceived safety walking home at night). Methods: Data were analyzed from 9259 participants over four biennial waves (2006-2012) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative sample of adults aged 65 and older in the United States. Results: In models adjusting for demographic and health-related covariates, a one-unit increase in neighborhood social cohesion was associated with 4\% lower odds of experiencing a single fall (odds ratio (OR): 0.96, 95\% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-0.99) and 6\% lower odds of experiencing multiple falls (OR: 0.94, 95\% CI: 0.90-0.98). A one-unit increase in the physical environment scale was associated with 4\% lower odds of experiencing a single fall (OR: 0.96, 95\% CI: 0.93-0.99) and with 5\% lower odds of experiencing multiple falls (OR: 0.95, 95\% CI: 0.91-1.00) in adjusted models. Conclusions: The physical and social neighborhood environment may affect fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. Findings support the ongoing need for evidence-based fall prevention programming in community and clinical settings.

}, keywords = {Community-dwelling, Health Shocks, Neighborhoods, Older Adults, Social Support}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph14020175}, author = {Emily J Nicklett and Matthew C. Lohman and Matthew Lee Smith} } @article {9143, title = {The difference-in-difference method: assessing the selection bias in the effects of neighborhood environment on health.}, journal = {Economics and Human Biology}, volume = {13}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Mar}, pages = {20-33}, 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.}, keywords = {Neighborhoods}, issn = {1873-6130}, doi = {10.1016/j.ehb.2013.03.007}, author = {Irina B Grafova and Vicki A Freedman and Lurie, Nicole and Kumar, Rizie and Jeannette Rogowski} }