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| Social cohesion may help prevent stroke. Image: Shutterstock |
Eric Kim, out of the University of Michigan, led the study.
He reports that “In our statistical models, this effect was approximately
equivalent to people who were current smokers versus never smokers.”
“Our research suggests that perceived neighborhood social
cohesion shows a protective effect above and beyond traditional stroke risk
factors, psychological factors, and individual-level social engagement,” Kim
added.
The study surveyed 6,740 people over the age of 50, asking
them questions like “Are your neighbors friendly?” and “Do you feel like you
are a part of the community?” After the initial survey, the participants’
health was tracked for the next four years. Two hundred and sixty-five of the
6,740 participants had strokes, and those who were in neighborhoods with the
lowest social cohesion were far more at risk.
“Research in the last three decades has shown that negative
neighborhood factors such as neighborhood violence, noise, traffic, low
neighborhood socioeconomic status, and poor air quality increase the risk of
poor health. Fewer studies have examined the potential protective effect that
neighborhood factors can have on health, particularly stroke,” the abstract of
the study reads.
So, how about it? Do you get along with your neighbors? Do
you even know your neighbors? Could you call on them in an emergency? Would you
invite them to a barbecue? Let’s get on with the neighborly love!
