Contextual determinants of cardiovascular diseases: overcoming the residential trap by accounting for non-residential context and duration of exposure

Health Place. 2013 Nov:24:73-9. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.07.007. Epub 2013 Aug 3.

Abstract

Multilevel neighbourhood analyses rarely account for (1) non-residential exposures and (2) duration of exposure, which have the potential to improve contextual level variance explained, model fit and strength of associations. Using cross-classified logistic regressions, we evaluate the impact of socio-environmental factors at work and home on cardiovascular disease risk for 1626 adults in Toronto-Canada. In the fully-adjusted model, increased CVD risk was associated with poor food environments, lack of parks/recreational facilities, home and work proximity to a major road and noise, and working in a low-SES neighbourhood (p<0.05). Adjusting for exposure duration improved model fit and the strength of associations.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Health geography; Multilevel modeling; Neighbourhood effects; Social determinants of health.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Ontario
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Social Environment*