Title: Vulnerability, Risk Perception, and Health Profile of Marginalized People Exposed to Multiple Built-Environment Stressors in Worcester, Massachusetts: A Pilot Project
Author: Downs, Timothy J., Ross, L. Goble, R. Subedi, R. Greenberg, S. and Taylor, O.
Publication: Risk Analysis 31(4): 609-628
Date: 2011
Description: This article presents research on the vulnerability of the population of the Main South and Piedmont neighborhoods of Worcester, Massachusetts to various health impacts of built environment stressors. The stressors identified were: pollution stressors, physical environment stressors, social stressors and economic stressors. The results of this research were based on 80 surveys designed and conducted in partnership with local organizations. Social stressors followed by physical stressors were perceived to have the highest impact by survey participants, including psychosocial stressors of crime, violence and drug use in their communities. These neighborhoods include many recent refugees and immigrants, and the authors indicate that marginalized populations are especially vulnerable to external stressors.
Keywords: Built environment, disease burden, health disparities, marginalization, risk perception, vulnerability, health
Cataloged By: Patrick Barnosky / B.J. Perkins