Perceived Neighborhood Quality and Cancer Screening Behavior: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. J Community Health 2016 Feb;41(1):134-7
Date
08/16/2015Pubmed ID
26275881Pubmed Central ID
PMC4984667DOI
10.1007/s10900-015-0078-1Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84954386309 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 21 CitationsAbstract
Socioeconomic disparities in colorectal and breast cancer screening persist, partially accounting for disparities in cancer outcomes. Some neighborhood characteristics--particularly area level socioeconomic factors--have been linked to cancer screening behavior, but few studies have examined the relationship between perceived neighborhood quality and screening behavior, which may provide more insight into the ways in which neighborhood environments shape cancer related behaviors. This study examines the relationship between several aspects of the perceived neighborhood environment and breast and colorectal cancer screening behavior among a population-based sample of Wisconsin residents. A sub-goal was to compare the relevance of different perceived neighborhood factors for different screening tests. This is a cross-sectional study of 2008-2012 data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, a population-based annual survey of Wisconsin residents. An average risk sample of Black, Hispanic and White women age 50 and older (n = 1265) were selected. Survey regression analyses examined predictors of screening, as well as adherence to screening guidelines. Models controlled for individual socio-demographic information and insurance status. Perceptions of social and physical disorder, including fear of crime and visible garbage, were associated with screening rates. Findings emphasize the particular importance of these factors for colorectal cancer screening, indicating the necessity of improving screening rates in areas characterized by social disorganization, crime, and physical disorder. Additional work should be done to further investigate the pathways that explain the linkage between neighborhood conditions, perceived neighborhood risks and cancer screening behavior.
Author List
Beyer KM, Malecki KM, Hoormann KA, Szabo A, Nattinger ABAuthors
Kirsten M. Beyer PhD, MPH Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinAnn B. Nattinger MD, MPH Associate Provost, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Aniko Szabo PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAnomie
Breast Neoplasms
Colorectal Neoplasms
Crime
Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Detection of Cancer
Environment
Female
Humans
Insurance Coverage
Insurance, Health
Middle Aged
Perception
Regression Analysis
Residence Characteristics
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological
Wisconsin