The Effects of Frequency of Social Interaction, Social Cohesion, Age, and the Built Environment on Walking

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore, through a social ecological framework, the multifaceted effects of the neighborhood environment by investigating how dimensions of both the built environment and the neighborhood social context may interact to influence walking. Aesthetics, land use mix, crime, and pedestrian infrastructure were considered with respect to built environment walkability, and the neighborhood social context was conceptualized using measures of both social cohesion and social interaction with neighbors. This research used data from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-funded study of 748 adults (18 years of age and older) residing in the Lents neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. Through a series of both multiple linear and logistic regression models, the analyses examined the specific pathways by which social interaction with neighbors, social cohesion, and age influenced the relationship between the built environment and walking behavior. Results suggest that both social interaction and social cohesion but not age moderate the effects of the built environment on walking. There was evidence of mediation, as well, for both social interaction and social cohesion. The implications of these findings for future research and policy are discussed

Differential Health and Social Needs of Older Adults Waitlisted for Public Housing or Housing Choice Vouchers

Affordable housing is an important form of income security for low-income older persons. This article describes characteristics of older persons waitlisted for either public housing or a housing choice voucher (HCV) (previously Section 8) in Portland, Oregon. 358 persons (32% response rate) completed a mailed survey with questions about demographics, health and housing status, food insecurity, and preference for housing with services. Findings indicate that many waitlisted older persons experienced homelessness or housing instability, poor health, high hospital use, and food insecurity. Public housing applicants were significantly more likely to report lower incomes, homelessness, and food insecurity than HCV applicants. We conclude with policy implications for housing and health agencies that serve low-income older persons

Demonstrating the Benefits of Green Streets for Active Aging: Initial Findings

This project will help demonstrate how sustainable ( green ) streets contribute to the well-being of a community, including the physical and mental health of older and younger adults, along with the environment and economy. The project will collect data in Portland, OR neighborhoods to answer the following research questions: Are residents living near sustainable streets more physically active in their neighborhood? Do residents living near sustainable streets interact with neighbors more and demonstrate higher levels of neighborhood social capital? What are residents’ opinions of sustainable streets? Are there variations in responses to sustainable streets by age or other demographics? In particular, how to older adults differ from younger adults? Does the implementation process and design affect green street outcomes? Do sustainable streets affect home values? How do green streets affect stormwater flows, urban heat island, and carbon sequestration in Portland neighborhoods? The project includes a survey of residents in two neighborhoods with green street features and two control neighborhoods; an environmental assessment of the green street treatments; and an analysis of housing values using a hedonic modeling approach. The project will be guided by an Advisory council of members of various stakeholder organizations and representing different types of expertise. Members will include representatives of the city of Portland’s Bureau of the Environmental Services and Office of Transportation, Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services (the local area agency on aging), Elders in Action, (a statewide advocacy group for elders), AARP Oregon, and the neighborhood associations of the four study neighborhoods

Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Health and Home: Neighborhood Stability and HIV Outcomes in the Metroscape

The miasma theory of disease went out of style in the 1850s. The discovery that bacteria, rather than vapors emanating from the soil at night, caused illness launched the modern public health profession. In the intervening 150 years, public health practitioners have focused on controlling disease through sanitary infrastructure and educational campaigns. Despite these great strides, the geography of HIV illuminates the inconvenient truth that relationships between health and place persist. New York and New Jersey, which together are home to 9.3% of U.S. residents, were the site of 22.3% of AIDS cases recorded by the CDC through 2007. Not only do Oregon and Washington have a much smaller population (3.5% of U.S. residents), their burden of AIDS (1.8% of U.S. cases to date) is far lower (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation). If miasma isn’t behind these differences, what is

Contextualizing Walkability Do Relationships Between Built Environments and Walking Vary by Socioeconomic Context?

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Supportive built environments for walking are linked to higher rates of walking and physical activity, but little is known about this relationship for socioeconomically disadvantaged (e.g., low-income and racial/ethnic minority) populations. We review 17 articles and find that most show that the built environment has weaker effects on walking and physical activity for disadvantaged than advantaged groups. Those who lived in supportive built environments walked more and were more physically active than those who did not, but the effect was about twice as large for advantaged groups. We see this difference because disadvantaged groups walked more in unsupportive built environments and less in supportive built environments, though the latter appears more influential. Takeaway for practice: Defining walkability entirely in built environment terms may fail to account for important social and individual/household characteristics and other non–built environment factors that challenge disadvantaged groups, including fear of crime and lack of social support. Planners must be sensitive to these findings and to community concerns about gentrification and displacement in the face of planned built environment improvements that may benefit more advantaged populations. We recommend five planning responses: Recognize that the effects of the built environment may vary by socioeconomics; use holistic approaches to improve walkability; expand walkability definitions to address a range of social and physical barriers; partner across agencies, disciplines, and professions; and evaluate interventions in different socioeconomic environments

Public Housing With Services for Older Adults With Developmental Disabilities: Differences in Efficacy Among Asian and White Communities

This study examined the efficacy of a culturally responsive housing with services model for Asian-American older adults and persons with developmental disabilities separately, and with both for an interaction effect. Study participants, including 278 Whites and 75 Asian Americans, lived in 10 properties of public housing with services in Portland, OR. All Asian-American participants (except four) were immigrants from China, Korea, and Vietnam, and were well connected through community-based health and social services that were delivered onsite and at a nearby center by staff members who were also immigrants from these three countries. Asian-American participants were older, very poor, with limited English proficiency, but, reported stronger family connection and satisfaction with the living environment, which reflected in lower health care needs and utilization, and better quality of life. Participants with developmental disabilities comprised 27 individuals who reported greater health care needs, service utilization, and food insecurity. Asian-American participants with developmental disabilities reported stronger family connections. Regression analyses found level of health care needs was consistently the strongest predictor, followed by food insecurity and family connection, in predicting perceived quality of life. Findings offer insight into a culturally responsive housing services model where minority culture is no longer a risk factor and limited English language proficiency is no longer a cause of isolation