Raymond Swisher, PhD, Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, 256 MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14840, 607-255-7010, RS263@Cornell.edu

This paper seeks to contribute to a better understanding of how growing up in poor and violent neighborhoods shapes the life chances of youth. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, and multilevel logistic models, it examines whether neighborhood poverty and exposure to violence influence adolescent subjective health and survival expectations (i.e., their confidence that they will survive into adulthood). Youth living in poor neighborhoods are found to have lower survival expectations and subjective health than are youth in more advantaged contexts. Further, youth living in neighborhoods with higher rates of exposure to violence are less certain of their survival than are youth in less violent neighborhoods. These relationships remain significant when controlling for adolescents' own violence, parent expectations for their children, and other variables associated with the neighborhood selection process.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the relationship between neighborhoods and administrative units, and individual and community health.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.