5 Ways Your Neighborhood Affects Your Health

2. Roads are congested

Aside from the headache of simply getting around, heavy traffic also ensures more time sitting. Research shows that people with long driving times are less physically active and more likely to have other lifestyle habits — like smoking, and poor eating and sleeping habits — that raise their risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and death from any cause. But that’s not the only health consequence of bottlenecks, traffic jams, gridlock and the like.

“The constant hum of traffic brings with it a cocktail of less visible problems that can affect our well-being,” Rojas says. “Air pollution from vehicle emissions can irritate our lungs, pass through the blood, and strain our heart and brain over time. The persistent noise can also disrupt sleep and raise blood pressure levels.”

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3. It’s not conducive to walking

Good luck logging the recommended 7,500 to 10,000 steps per day if your neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks or — just as bad, maybe worse — the sidewalks are in such disrepair they function as an obstacle course.

A report examining how neighborhoods affect the health and well-being of people 50 and older found that those living in more accessible neighborhoods are more likely to walk outside over the course of a typical week compared with those in less walkable neighborhoods. A study published in 2022 in the journal Obesity looked at neighborhood walkability across the U.S. — defined as those with more intersections, sidewalks, easy-to-navigate crosswalks and few cul-de-sacs or dead-end streets — and found that people in highly walkable neighborhoods were more likely to be physically active, walk near their home and have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who live in low-walkability neighborhoods. Same goes for cities that have bike-sharing and designated bike lanes. 

“Cities designed with health in mind make it easier for us to make good choices,” Rojas says. “When we have safe sidewalks, bike lanes and green spaces, we’re more likely to be physically active. It’s like having an invisible health partner working for us every day.” 

4.  Fresh food is in short supply

It isn’t just easy access to fast food that influences eating habits; it’s the inaccessibility of good-for-you foods too.

Research shows that people who live in what are known as food deserts — areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food — are at greater risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease than those who live in healthier food environments. 

“Access to healthy foods is crucial for maintaining good health,” Ganatra says. “Diets rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods are associated with lower risks of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”

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5. Crime is high

Even if you live in the equivalent of a fortress — a house in a gated community or housing with an impenetrable front desk — research shows that neighborhood crime can impact health, even if you’re not directly impacted by the violence. Possible effects include increases in blood pressure and obesity, both risk factors for cardiovascular disease, found a study published in 2022 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The researchers zeroed in on deaths due to cardiovascular disease in Chicago over a 14-year period and found that communities experiencing the greatest decrease in violent crime rates also had the greatest decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease. The communities with the smallest decrease in crime, on the other hand, had a significantly smaller decline in mortality rates. 

“Living in a high-crime area can affect our health, even if we feel safe inside our own homes. It’s as if the stress of our wider environment seeps into our daily lives, impacting us in subtle but significant ways,” Rojas says. “The solution isn’t just about individual security measures. It’s about creating communities where everyone feels safe and connected. This could mean better lighting in public spaces, community watch programs or more opportunities for neighbors to come together and look out for each other.”

Building healthier neighborhoods 

One solution gaining traction: what urban planners call the “15-minute city.”

“Imagine being able to meet all your daily needs — from grocery shopping to doctor’s appointments to social activities — within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from your home,” Rojas explains.

“In a 15-minute city, we’re more likely to walk or cycle for our daily errands, increasing our physical activity without even trying. We have easier access to fresh food, health care and social opportunities. The reduced reliance on cars means cleaner air and quieter streets. And for older adults, this kind of accessible, connected community can be a game-changer, promoting independence and social engagement.”