Healthy Neighbourhoods: Health Promotion and Prevention in Urban Neighbourhoods

Abstract

[EN] Background: Maintaining good quality of life in urban neighbourhoods is one of the biggest challenges. The project "Healthy Neighbourhoods - Health Promotion and Prevention in Urban Neighbourhoods" (07/2017 - 12/2020) aims to describe and improve health and quality of life of citizens living in neighbourhoods with different socio-economic statuses. Method: To examine the possible association between socio-economic status (SES) and health, a cross-sectional survey in six urban neighbourhoods with "very low", "low", "middle" and "high" social statuses was conducted. Results: In July 2019, a preliminary dataset with 700 respondents was available for analysis. Analyses of covariance showed that physical healthrelated quality of life was impaired in neighbourhoods with very lower SES, while body mass index was increased. There were no significant differences in mental health-related quality of life. Discussion The results confirm that neighbourhoods with low and very low SES should be primary targets for interventions of health promotion and prevention. To ensure a participative approach for the development of such interventions, the results will be presented to and discussed with residents and other relevant stakeholders of the target neighbourhoods in order to identify the appropriate interventions policies.