HEALTH EQUITY: Neighborhood Health

Long-lasting stress wears down our bodies and increases the risk of disease. What we might not realize is that stresses from living in our neighborhood or from our home are contributing factors. When we experience this, we are not able to live our healthiest lives.

Where you live can increase the risk of stress. Long lasting stress can lead to depression. An area with few resources or unsafe living conditions can cause stress. Residents have an unfair advantage to be healthy when resources are lacking; green spaces, playgrounds, sidewalks or well-lit streets to name a few. Communities can look at ways to create a healthier living space. Take action to close the gaps of inequities in your neighborhood. Take it one-step at a time. Focus on reliable transportation. Focus on better parks for children. Focus on recreational facilities for teens. Focus on what your community needs to contribute to a better standard of living.

Addressing these stressors in the neighborhood or in the home is important. Children exposed to stressors at an early age develop complications later in life. Stress affects their ability to learn. Stress increases the risk of unhealthy behaviors as adults.

It is easier for healthy people to learn, to work, to raise a family, and to give back. There are many ways to work for health equity in your community and in #Delaware. Find out how today! Get connected to action takers by visiting http://healthequityde.com