The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50245

Michelle Sahl, MEd, MBA, MBE, PhD Graduate Program in Health Policy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S. 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-596-7618, msahl@ix.netcom.com

Where you live may truly impact your health. The public health literature is replete with evidence demonstrating the correlation between inner cities’ lower socioeconomic status and measurably higher than average morbidity and mortality rates. Recent research has shed more light on the subtle yet measurable influence of neighborhood environment, and what, if anything, that context means in terms of personal health. Arguably as ‘toxic’ as the gradual impact of environmental pollutants, blatantly visible indicators of urban ‘disease’ and community ‘blight’ have been identified as harmful enemies of the residents living in decaying neighborhoods. The daily and cumulative stresses of living near and around dilapidated vacant houses, abandoned vehicles, and offensive graffiti serve to slowly desiccate the vitality of a neighborhood and its residents. Some investigators evaluating these variables have documented not only a corresponding relationship that exists between community blight and incidences of certain disease factors; they have also considered blight removal (i.e., neighborhood redevelopment efforts) and its ability to create a renewed sense of well-being among community residents. The City of Philadelphia is initiating a process of transforming its blight-defined neighborhoods through a multi-year program of housing/community revitalization. This effort provides the natural setting for exploring the impact of neighborhood blight and its relationship to residents’ health status.

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