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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Dinah Welch, ARNP, PhD(c) and Shawn M. Kneipp, PhD, ARNP. College of Nursing, University of Florida, PO Box 100197, Gainesville, FL 32610, 352-273-6516, dwelch@nursing.ufl.edu

Despite the numerous studies that have established a clear relationship between neighborhood disadvantage, housing, and health, the mechanisms by which neighborhoods impact health remain unknown. Research is needed that incorporates a socio-biological approach in order to determine the mechanisms by which neighborhoods “get under the skin” and contribute to the development of chronic disease. This dissertation project examined the hypo-thalamic pituitary axis as one potential mechanism through which chronic neighborhood and housing stressors affect women's physical and mental health. The specific aims of this study were to: 1) determine the relationships among neighborhood characteristics, perceived stress, psychological distress, and salivary cortisol secretion among female heads of household with children of low socioeconomic position (SEP), 2) determine the differences in neighborhood characteristics of two subsidized housing types, specifically S8 and PH, in which female heads of households with children of low SEP live, and 3) examine the differences in housing satisfaction, perceived stress, psychological distress, and neuroendocrine regulation, specifically cortisol secretion, in female heads of households with children of low SEP by housing type. A cross-sectional analytic design in which exposure to public and section 8 housing types and their relationship to physiological measures, specifically salivary cortisol, was utilized using a cohort of 107 women. Differences in neighborhood characteristics, psychological distress and salivary cortisol between women living in S8 and PH were explored. In addition, the relationships among housing type, neighborhood characteristics, stress, psychological distress and salivary cortisol were examined. Findings and implications for public health nursing practice will be presented.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of participation in this presentation the participant will be able to

• Discuss the effects of neighborhoods and housing on health inequalities in women.
• Describe how alterations hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease.
• List 3 interventions by public health nurses that could potentially improve the health status of women living in subsidized housing.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation