Having a sense of protection from crime is associated with a 9% lower risk of premature death and a 6% lower likelihood of a heart attack, per study of over 35,000 adults presented at the ESC Congress 2023. The National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing, China, according to study author Dr. Mengya Li, “There is growing evidence that the neighborhood we live in affects our health.”
“This study highlights the importance of many aspects of our surroundings for heart health and longevity, including feeling safe, having shops, transport and parks close by, cleanliness, and feeling that our neighbourhood is a good place to live and to raise children.”
The association between neighborhood characteristics, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and death was examined using data from the PURE-China study. Between 2005 and 2009, the study included 35,730 adults in China, aged 35 to 70, from 115 communities (70 urban and 45 rural). The participants’ average age was 51, and 60% of them were female. Using the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale, trained research staff conducted in-person interviews to gather baseline data on the neighborhood environment.
There are eight subscales in the questionnaire. A total NEWS score was calculated by adding the scores for each subscale. High marks demonstrated favorable opinions of the neighborhood.
After adjusting for variables that could affect the relationships, such as age, sex, body mass index, education, household income, marital status, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity, household cooking fuel, pollution, a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), high blood pressure, diabetes, and regular medications, the researchers examined the associations between each subscale and the overall score and health outcomes.
There were 2,034 (5.7%) all-cause deaths during a median follow-up of 11.7 years, of which 765 were related to CVD, and 3,042 (8.5%) major CVD events. A higher neighbourhood environment score was linked to a 6% lower risk of major CVD events and all-cause mortality as well as a 12% lower chance of dying while being followed up and a 10% lower chance of dying from a CVD.
Safety from crime was the subscale that had the strongest correlation with health outcomes. A higher neighborhood safety score was linked to a 9% lower risk of dying during follow-up, a 10% lower risk of dying from a CVD, a 3% lower likelihood of developing major CVDs, a 6% lower risk of myocardial infarction, and a 10% lower chance of developing heart failure
A high score was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes during follow-up for all subscales, with reductions in risk ranging from 2% to 9%. Additionally, a high rating on the subscale that measures how long it takes to walk to amenities was linked to a 1% lower risk of passing away.
Dr Li said: “While some of the percentage reductions in risk are small, they affect large numbers of people and therefore could have a wide-ranging impact. The findings can be used by policymakers to take action to mitigate the adverse effect of poor community conditions on health, such as improving local amenities and transport connectivity, providing green spaces and street lighting, and building paths for walking, running and cycling.”
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