Get the Facts on Health-Related Neighborhood Disparities

Compiled by PolicyLink

Many studies have shown disparities in neighborhood factors that affect health, such as:

1. Parks tend to be concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods, which impact the availability of recreation programs.

2. In Baltimore, MD, even when controlling for socioeconomic status, liquor stores were more likely to be located in predominantly African American neighborhoods than in white neighborhoods.

3. In North Carolina, Maryland and Minnesota, there are 3 times fewer supermarkets in the poorest neighborhoods compared to wealthier neighborhoods.

4. Half of all black neighborhoods lack access to a full-service grocery store or supermarket.

5. In the Bay area of California, many low-income community residents have little or no access to grocery stores.

Data support how the health of community environments is related to health outcomes:

1. There's a 32% increase in fresh fruit/vegetable consumption when supermarkets are in the community.

2. African Americans living in neighborhoods with at least one supermarket were more likely to meet dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption than those living in neighborhoods without supermarkets.

3. Geographic density of alcohol outlets in San Diego County was significantly associated with alcohol-related hospital admissions.

4. The distance between homes and exercise facilities was related to the frequency of exercise.

5. The closer children live to a freeway, the more likely they are to develop asthma.

© 2005 KCET, Tavis Smiley Productions and PBS.

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Published: September 15, 2005