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Optimizing Scoring and Sampling Methods for Assessing Built Neighborhood Environment Quality in Residential Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Joel Adu-Brimpong

    (National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Office of Intramural Training and Education, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Nathan Coffey

    (Department of Global and Community Health, School of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA)

  • Colby Ayers

    (Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA)

  • David Berrigan

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Leah R. Yingling

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Samantha Thomas

    (National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Office of Intramural Training and Education, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Valerie Mitchell

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Chaarushi Ahuja

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Joshua Rivers

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Jacob Hartz

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
    Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA)

  • Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley

    (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

Abstract

Optimization of existing measurement tools is necessary to explore links between aspects of the neighborhood built environment and health behaviors or outcomes. We evaluate a scoring method for virtual neighborhood audits utilizing the Active Neighborhood Checklist (the Checklist), a neighborhood audit measure, and assess street segment representativeness in low-income neighborhoods. Eighty-two home neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Cardiovascular Health/Needs Assessment (NCT01927783) participants were audited using Google Street View imagery and the Checklist (five sections with 89 total questions). Twelve street segments per home address were assessed for (1) Land-Use Type; (2) Public Transportation Availability; (3) Street Characteristics; (4) Environment Quality and (5) Sidewalks/Walking/Biking features. Checklist items were scored 0–2 points/question. A combinations algorithm was developed to assess street segments’ representativeness. Spearman correlations were calculated between built environment quality scores and Walk Score ® , a validated neighborhood walkability measure. Street segment quality scores ranged 10–47 (Mean = 29.4 ± 6.9) and overall neighborhood quality scores, 172–475 (Mean = 352.3 ± 63.6). Walk scores ® ranged 0–91 (Mean = 46.7 ± 26.3). Street segment combinations’ correlation coefficients ranged 0.75–1.0. Significant positive correlations were found between overall neighborhood quality scores, four of the five Checklist subsection scores, and Walk Scores ® ( r = 0.62, p < 0.001). This scoring method adequately captures neighborhood features in low-income, residential areas and may aid in delineating impact of specific built environment features on health behaviors and outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel Adu-Brimpong & Nathan Coffey & Colby Ayers & David Berrigan & Leah R. Yingling & Samantha Thomas & Valerie Mitchell & Chaarushi Ahuja & Joshua Rivers & Jacob Hartz & Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley, 2017. "Optimizing Scoring and Sampling Methods for Assessing Built Neighborhood Environment Quality in Residential Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:273-:d:92506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dankwa-Mullan, I. & Ṕerez-Stable, E.J., 2016. "Addressing health disparities is a place-based issue," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(4), pages 637-639.
    2. Berke, E.M. & Koepsell, T.D. & Moudon, A.V. & Hoskins, R.E. & Larson, E.B., 2007. "Association of the built environment with physical activity and obesity in older persons," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(3), pages 486-492.
    3. Cain, Kelli L. & Millstein, Rachel A. & Sallis, James F. & Conway, Terry L. & Gavand, Kavita A. & Frank, Lawrence D. & Saelens, Brian E. & Geremia, Carrie M. & Chapman, James & Adams, Marc A. & Glanz,, 2014. "Contribution of streetscape audits to explanation of physical activity in four age groups based on the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 82-92.
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    Cited by:

    1. Han Zou & Ruichao Liu & Wen Cheng & Jingjing Lei & Jing Ge, 2023. "The Association between Street Built Environment and Street Vitality Based on Quantitative Analysis in Historic Areas: A Case Study of Wuhan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Heli Lu & Menglin Xia & Ziyuan Qin & Siqi Lu & Ruimin Guan & Yuna Yang & Changhong Miao & Taizheng Chen, 2022. "The Built Environment Assessment of Residential Areas in Wuhan during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-20, June.

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