Relative importance of physical and social aspects of perceived neighbourhood environment for self-reported health

Objective: To explore the relative importance of the perceived physical and social neighbourhood environment for physical and mental health. Methods: A representative random sample of adults was recruited from 10 areas across Stoke-on-Trent, UK (June-September 2007). Interview-administered surveys were used to record data on the perceived neighbourhood environment (physical and social), self-reported health, and socio-demographics. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore independent associations between environmental factors and physical and mental health. Results: Independent physical and social environmental factors respectively explained 6.0% and 3.2% of variability in physical health and 2.8% and 4.4% of variability in mental health. Diversity of land use was the strongest and only physical environmental predictor of physical health (Beta=0.27, p<0.001), explaining more variability than social environmental factors combined. Conversely, social support was the most important (and only) social environmental factor for mental health (Beta=-0.20, p<0.001); again, this explained more variability in mental health than the combined effect of four physical environmental predictors. Conclusion: Perceived physical and social environmental characteristics were important for physical and mental health, independent of socio-demographic factors. Living in neighbourhoods with greater land use diversity appears particularly important for physical health, whereas social support appears more closely linked to mental health.