A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, even after controlling for personal income, education, and occupation. The study used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, which followed 13,009 participants over a median of 9.1 years. During this period, 615 coronary events occurred. Residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods had a higher risk of disease than those in advantaged neighborhoods. Hazard ratios for coronary heart disease were 3.1 among whites and 2.5 among blacks, compared to high-income individuals in the most advantaged neighborhoods. These associations remained unchanged after adjusting for established risk factors for coronary heart disease. The study suggests that neighborhood characteristics, such as socioeconomic environment, may independently influence health outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of considering neighborhood-level factors in understanding health disparities. The study also notes that neighborhood characteristics, including access to resources and the physical and social environment, may contribute to cardiovascular risk. The results emphasize the need for strategies that address both individual and environmental factors in disease prevention. The study was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, even after controlling for personal income, education, and occupation. The study used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, which followed 13,009 participants over a median of 9.1 years. During this period, 615 coronary events occurred. Residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods had a higher risk of disease than those in advantaged neighborhoods. Hazard ratios for coronary heart disease were 3.1 among whites and 2.5 among blacks, compared to high-income individuals in the most advantaged neighborhoods. These associations remained unchanged after adjusting for established risk factors for coronary heart disease. The study suggests that neighborhood characteristics, such as socioeconomic environment, may independently influence health outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of considering neighborhood-level factors in understanding health disparities. The study also notes that neighborhood characteristics, including access to resources and the physical and social environment, may contribute to cardiovascular risk. The results emphasize the need for strategies that address both individual and environmental factors in disease prevention. The study was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.