Neighborhood and Built Environment
County-level data and information about the Assessed Health Issue and Social Determinants of Health indicators can be found in the report appendices.
The neighborhoods people live in have a major impact on their health and well-being. Healthy People 2030 focuses on improving health and safety in the places where people live, work, learn, and play. Many people in the United States live in neighborhoods with high rates of violence, unsafe air or water, and other health and safety risks. One in four OHC Region households have no or slow Internet, a severe limitation. Racial/ethnic minorities and people with low incomes are more likely to live in places with these risks. In addition, some people are exposed to things at work that can harm their health, like secondhand smoke or loud noises. Interventions and policy changes at the local, state, and federal level can help reduce these health and safety risks and promote health. For example, providing opportunities for people to walk and bike in their communities — like by adding sidewalks and bike lanes — can increase safety and help improve health and quality of life.