The Impact of Public Policy & Structural Barriers on Neighborhood & Environment

The most prevalent health issues arising from poor environmental conditions are noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions and various cancers in addition to injuries and respiratory infections. Unsurprisingly, individuals with low incomes residing in areas with higher pollution levels and unsafe drinking water are disproportionately affected. Moreover, structural barriers, such as inadequate transportation or the distance from healthcare facilities, can exacerbate adverse health outcomes by preventing patients from seeking timely intervention for their illnesses.

​

The significant disparity in health outcomes based on physical environment is a global issue that necessitates a coordinated effort from organizations at all levels to redesign infrastructure and support vulnerable populations through systemic changes. In America, the responsibility for addressing widespread issues, like climate change, is often placed on individuals rather than systems (i.e. corporations and the government). For disadvantaged populations living in poor living conditions, we can't place the responsibility of finding healthier living conditions on the individual. We need to support these populations with systemic changes implemented through overarching public policy.

​

This systemic approach is crucial because communities living in poor conditions often also face significant structural barriers, such as inadequate housing, limited access to care, poor sanitation, and environmental hazards, all of which contribute to deteriorating health. Without intervention, residents are left to navigate these challenges alone, exacerbating health disparities and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Implementing systemic changes through public policy can address these root causes by ensuring access to quality healthcare, improving living conditions, and reducing environmental risks. Effective policies can provide the necessary resources and support to uplift vulnerable populations, fostering healthier, more equitable communities. Investing in these changes not only improves individual health outcomes but also enhances the overall well-being and productivity of society. 

Hospital organizations can also implement solutions at the local level to address health disparities caused by varied living conditions. We now have data, drilled down to the neighborhood-level, to understand how factors driving social mobility outcomes and differences between areas affect residents' health, even with a mile's distance. 

​

The Opportunity Atlas is a groundbreaking tool developed by Raj Chetty and researchers from Harvard University, Brown University and the U.S. Census Bureau that maps economic opportunities across the United States  . It provides detailed, interactive data on how neighborhood conditions affect future economic success, using markers such as income, employment, and educational attainment. By highlighting variations in outcomes based on where children grow up, the Atlas helps policymakers and community leaders understand and address the root causes of economic inequality, aiming to foster upward mobility. Since we know socioeconomic status affects health, children in high-poverty areas often experience worse health and than those in affluent neighborhoods. Healthcare organizations will have to figure out how to utilize information from their own backyards to design the right solutions based on location conditions and resources.