SOC 385LEC—Neighborhoods and Health

Whether we live in urban, suburban, or rural settings, social and economic features of the neighborhoods where we live and work can have major health effects ranging from mortality and general health status to disability, birth outcomes, chronic conditions, health behaviors, mental health, injuries and violence. In this course, we consider how the social environments of neighborhoods shape the physical and mental health of individuals, and how neighborhoods contribute to persistent health disparities. Special attention will be devoted to conceptual and methodological challenges to detecting the prevalence and magnitude of neighborhood effects on health.