The built environment includes all of the physical structures of where individuals live, work, and play. This can include homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructures. Additionally, the built environment includes “neighborhood social capital, such as interpersonal trust and accepted behavior norms, perceived neighborhood safety, and area deprivation” (Roman, Stodolska, Yahner, & Shinew, 2013). While everyone experiences a different built environment, it is the influence of physical features and social constructs of the built environment, when unequally distributed that contribute to health disparities. Consider for example that when neighborhood safety and social capital is high, physical activity levels increase and obesity risks decrease among U.S. children. (Roman et al., 2013). How can farmers markets decrease obesity prevalence? Is having access to a safe and clean park equipped with bicycle and running trails effective for promoting regular exercise? As you reflect on features of the built environment that you may be familiar with, consider how these features may play a role in the health
outcomes experienced by different populations. For this Discussion, view the media piece, , in this week’s Learning Resources. Think about how the information presented in the media relates to health and well-being. Then, select a community with which you are familiar and consider how physical features of this community might impact health outcomes. an explanation of how affordable, quality, and safe housing conditions promote health. Explain how home ownership (or lack thereof) might affect conditions in your community. Then describe physical features in a given community that can have a positive and negative impact on health outcomes and explain why. Remember to begin interaction with your colleagues in the Discussion no later than and continue engaging through . the Discussionby and explain which social determinants of health might be most useful for designing effective health interventions to the physical features your colleague described. Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students Click on the button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the button to post your message.