Neighborhood Social Cohesion and the Health of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Older Adults

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.).

KEYWORDS:

• Neighborhoods
• communities
• health disparities
• indigenous population issues
• social support

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported, in part, by a grant from the US Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC to the Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders (90OIRC0001-01-00) and by the Barbara Cox Anthony Endowment at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. The authors report no conflicts of interest.