Built Environment as a Social Determinant of Mental Health

This presentation will define the "Built Environment" (i.e. housing, roads, parks, and other humanly-constructed features of the environment) and describe how it acts as an important, but largely overlooked, social determinant of mental health in our communities. The presentation will identify the direct and indirect impacts of the built environment on mental health; including the impact of seemingly distal elements (e.g., airports and energy-generating facilities). 

The inherently political nature of the built environment will be addressed including  the ways in which it contributes to mental health disparities and inequities. Data from case studies will be presented that shows how specific 'built environment' policies  (e.g., housing, transportation, land use planning) can be designed and implemented in ways that support mental health, especially that of the most vulnerable.