Background Influence

Physical environment

Many aspects of the physical environment can harm young people's development. Physical design of the neighborhood affects social relations, crime, and the amount of physical activity. Decayed and abandoned buildings are associated with more crime. Neighborhoods with access to alcohol have more problem drinking, accidents, and violence. The types of food that are available in the neighborhood affect people's nutrition and health. And neighborhoods may have many physical toxins that directly affect health and behavior.

Sub-constructs

• Decay: abandoned buildings, substandard housing
• Neighborhood design, land use
• Access to alcohol
• Access: nutritious foods
• Toxic influences in neighborhoods

Related Interventions

Programs

• Guiding Good Choices
• Life Skills Training
• Positive Action
• Raising Healthy Children
• Strengthening Families 10-14

Policies

• Alcohol Outlet Density
• Safety Belt Laws and Enforcement
• Access to Places for Physical Activity
• Community Smoking Prevention Programs
• Tobacco Excise Taxes
• Hours of Sale for Alcohol
• Point of Purchase Nutrition Strategies
• Area-wide traffic calming for preventing traffic related injuries
• Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs
• Condom Subsidies and Social Marketing Programs
• Firearms Policies
• Tobacco-Free Policies (Smoke-free workplaces, restaurants, and other public places)
• Effective Drug Law Enforcement
• Community-Driven Development
• Supermarket Access in Low-income Communities
• Food Pricing Strategies: Taxes and Subsidies
• Pool fencing
• Enforcement of Tobacco Sales Laws
• Urban Design and Land Use Policies
• Farm to School Programs
• Limiting Pesticide Exposure in Workers