What Factors Define a Neighborhood in Epidemiology?
A neighborhood in epidemiology can be defined by several factors:
Geographic Boundaries: These may include administrative boundaries like census tracts, zip codes, or naturally occurring boundaries like rivers and highways. Demographic Characteristics: Factors such as age distribution, racial composition, and household sizes. Socioeconomic Status (SES): This includes income levels, employment rates, educational attainment, and housing conditions. Physical Environment: Access to healthcare facilities, parks, grocery stores, and transportation options. Social Environment: Community cohesion, crime rates, and availability of social services.
