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Measuring contextual characteristics for community health
Marianne M Hillemeier1, John Lynch, Sam Harper
1Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802-6500, USA.
Health Services Research
|January 20, 2004
Summary
This study conceptualizes and measures community contextual influences on population health and health disparities. A framework with 12 dimensions was developed to monitor environments affecting health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
- Health Disparities Research
Background:
- Understanding community contextual influences is crucial for addressing population health and health disparities.
- Existing frameworks may not comprehensively capture the multifaceted environmental factors impacting health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptualize and measure community contextual influences on population health.
- To develop a framework for understanding health disparities related to community environments.
Main Methods:
- Utilized traditional and nontraditional secondary data sources for community characteristics.
- Employed a consultative process to identify 12 overarching dimensions and subcomponents of contextual characteristics.
- Assembled a geocoded library of data indicators for U.S. metropolitan areas.
Main Results:
- Developed community contextual health profiles based on identified dimensions.
- Presented the rationale for each dimension and provided examples of relevant data sources.
- Demonstrated the utility of the framework for profiling metropolitan areas.
Conclusions:
- The conceptual framework offers practical methods for monitoring health-related aspects of economic, social, and physical environments.
- Provides guiding principles for understanding how contextual characteristics influence health and health disparities.
- Facilitates a more comprehensive approach to community health assessment and intervention.