WELCOME TO THE
Detroit Neighborhood Health Study
About Our Study
The Detroit Neighborhood Health Study (DNHS), conducted by the Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is a 5-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
New epidemiologic data suggests that where we live can influence our health. This evidence suggests that the quality of the neighborhood environment, including for example the quality of local buildings, streets, and the extent to which neighbors talk to one another, contributes to the development of disease processes and to the health of residents of cities. However, there are very few studies that have been conducted that aim to carefully study the links between the quality of neighborhoods citywide and the health of local residents in general, and even fewer that have focused on the mental health and well-being of local residents in particular.
This project aims to study all of the neighborhoods in Detroit in two ways. First, we will randomly select a group of about 1,500 residents of Detroit. All participants who are selected at random will be contacted by mail and asked to participate. Those who agree to participate will take part in a survey and provide a small blood sample and will be followed every year for at least the next three years.
Second, we will be systematically assessing the neighborhood environment using standardized instruments each year for the next several years. At the end of the project we hope to be able to identify both the linkages between specific features of the neighborhood environment and mental health and well-being of Detroit residents, and also to identify specific biologic mechanisms that explain why we are seeing these associations. See our ‘Neighborhood Assessments’ page for more information regarding this portion of the study.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Phase 2
Phase 2 data collection began in September. Interviews and specimen collection continue to date. If you are a participant and have not already reported any changes in your address or phone number, please click on the ‘Contact Us’ page for our toll free number or email address so we know how to reach you for Phase 2.
Health in the City Symposium
A successful first annual DNHS mini-Symposium, “Health in the City”, was held Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the UM Detroit Center at Orchestra Place. Sixty-three people with a variety of affiliations were in attendance to hear about the work of researchers from the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study (UM School of Public Health); the Wayne State University School of Medicine; Community Action Against Asthma (CAAA) and Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP) (Affiliated projects of the: Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center); Detroit-Area Community Information System; and the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion. A thought-provoking question and answer period followed the presentations.
Click on the links below to view the four slide presentations.
1-health-in-the-city_dr-galea_dnhs_um
2-health-in-the-city_dr-arnetz_wsu
3-health-in-the-city_caaa_hep_urc
4-health-in-the-city_g-parrish_d-acis