ABSTRACT

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) older adults experience various social and health challenges. There is a growing literature linking neighborhood conditions with health, yet few have focused on NHPI older adults. This study examines associations between neighborhood social cohesion and health outcomes (i.e., self-rated health, psychological distress, and memory) in this population. Data from the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (n=1,045 with respondents aged 50+) were analyzed with logistic regression models. The level of neighborhood social cohesion was determined by responses to items on perceptions of mutual help, dependability, trust, and close relationships within the neighborhood. Higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower odds of having serious psychological distress or memory problems. There was no statistical association of social cohesion with self-rated health. Socially cohesive neighborhoods are important to the health of NHPI. We discuss methods to improve neighborhood social cohesion as a way to promote health equity for NHPI older adults in the United States (U.S.).

摘要

夏威夷原住民和其他太平洋岛民 (NHPI) 老年人面临各种社会和健康挑战。越来越多的文献将邻里状况与健康联系起来，但很少有人关注 NHPI 老年人。本研究考察了该人群邻里社会凝聚力与健康结果（即自评健康、心理困扰和记忆）之间的关联。使用逻辑回归模型分析了 2014 年夏威夷原住民和太平洋岛民全国健康访谈调查（n=1,045，受访者年龄在 50 岁以上）的数据。邻里社会凝聚力的水平取决于对邻里互助、可靠性、信任和亲密关系的看法的反应。较高的社区社会凝聚力与较低的严重心理困扰或记忆问题的几率有关。社会凝聚力与自评健康没有统计学关联。具有社会凝聚力的社区对 NHPI 的健康很重要。我们讨论了提高邻里社会凝聚力的方法，以此来促进美国（美国）NHPI 老年人的健康公平。