Neighborhood features and physiological risk: An examination of allostatic load

Jennifer W. Robinette, Susan T. Charles, David M. Almeida, Tara L. Gruenewald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

Poor neighborhoods may represent a situation of chronic stress, and may therefore be associated with health-related correlates of stress. We examined whether lower neighborhood income would relate to higher allostatic load, or physiological well-being, through psychological, affective, and behavioral pathways. Using data from the Biomarker Project of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study and the 2000 Census, we demonstrated that people living in lower income neighborhoods have higher allostatic load net of individual income. Moreover, findings indicate that this relation is partially accounted for by anxious arousal symptoms, fast food consumption, smoking, and exercise habits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)110-118
Number of pages9
JournalHealth and Place
Volume41
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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