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Symposium

Health Sciences

Neighborhoods as a Space and Place for Healthy Aging: Novel Approaches and a View of the Future

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Location: Room 107

The importance of neighborhood environments for health outcomes has gained increasing recognition in the past two decades. Both space (physical environment) and place (social environment) have implications for health behaviors and risk for acute events and chronic diseases. This symposium brings together a series of talks that address space (walkability, physical activity destinations) and place (racial and socioeconomic polarization) for falls and fear of falling (Pam Dunlap), physical activity behaviors (Pat Donahue), and blood pressure (Hoda Magid). The talks also advance methodology and conceptualization of space and place through use of novel exposure measurements (e.g., Google StreetView audits, spatial polarization) and more nuanced characterization of outcomes (e.g., considering risk stratification and various behavioral aspects of physical activity). Finally, we end with two talks demonstrating ways to advance methods, including the use of longitudinal data to understand long-term neighborhood exposures in relation to outcomes in older adults (Michael Desjardins) and incorporation of novel measures into existing cohorts (Jana Hirsch). These talks leverage data from a diverse range of studies including long-standing cohorts (CHS, MESA), an intervention trial, and VA nursing home data. Together, these talks further our understanding of how neighborhood environments relate to health at older ages and demonstrate the ways in which the field can advance our conceptualization of space and place as both barriers and promoters of health. Yvonne Michael will lead a discussion with the panel and audience on future directions and methodological needs for the field.

Learning Objectives:

  • describe how neighborhoods may influence the health and well-being of older adults.
  • identify strengths and weaknesses of the current methods in neighborhood research related to aging.

Presentations:

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
    Association Between Neighborhood Environment and Fear of Falling and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Pamela Dunlap, DPT, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
    Do Nearby Physical Activity Destinations Encourage People to be F.I.T.T.?

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Patrick T. Donahue, MS – Johns Hopkins University

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
    Spillover Effects of Residential Spatial Social Polarization and High Blood Pressure Among VA Nursing Home Residents

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Hoda S. Abdel Magid, MHS, PhD – Stanford University

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
    Improving Longitudinal Studies of Aging in Geospatial Health: An Agenda

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Michael R. Desjardins, PhD, MA (he/him/his) – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
    Incorporating New Measures of Neighborhood Supports for Healthy Aging Into Existing Cohorts

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jana A. Hirsch, MES, PhD (she/they) – Dornsife School of Public Health Drexel University