Built environment features mediate the relationship between neighborhoods' racial and ethnic composition and health outcomes

A new article published by Quynh Nguyen and colleagues Yukun Yang, Ahyoung Cho, and Elaine Nsoesie investigates the relationship between urban neighborhoods' racial-ethnic diversity, built environment features, and health outcomes.

The study employs the novel method of identifying built environment indicators via Google Street View images. Additionally, population-level estimates of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes were obtained from national survey data.

Using multilevel modeling and mediation analysis, the team found that predominantly White neighborhoods had fewer dilapidated buildings, more green space, fewer crosswalks, and were associated with better health outcomes, compared to neighborhoods with predominantly minoritized racial or ethnic groups. Additionally, built environment features partially mediated the relationship between racial and ethnic composition and health outcomes including diabetes, asthma, and sleep issues. The strongest mediator explaining this association was the number of non-single family homes.

These findings shed light on how policies like redlining can create inequalities in the built environment that contribute to racially and ethnically segregated communities, poorer housing conditions, unwalkable neighborhoods, and health-related disadvantages.

Yang Y, Cho A, Nguyen Q, Nsoesie EO. Association of Neighborhood Racial and Ethnic Composition and Historical Redlining With Built Environment Indicators Derived From Street View Images in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(1):e2251201. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51201