Journal of social mathematical & human engineering sciences最新文献

This paper examines the striking contrasts and inequalities observation by walking from Manhattan to Harlem in New York City, highlighting the significant social and economic differences that have profound implications for public health and social policy. Through this journey, we explore various aspects including racial segregation, the composition of shops, smoking habits, street cleanliness, police presence, unemployment, real estate disparities, and the pervasive sense of insecurity. The transition from a predominantly White Manhattan to a predominantly Black and Hispanic Harlem underscores the historical and systemic inequalities that continue to shape the city's demographic and economic landscape. These disparities, rooted in discriminatory housing policies, economic disparities, and social exclusion, manifest in poorer health outcomes, higher rates of substance use, and limited economic opportunities for minority populations. By addressing these structural issues through targeted policies and sustained interventions, policymakers may work towards reducing health disparities and promoting racial equity. This paper also highlights the concept of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), where the benefits of education and income are less pronounced for minority individuals compared to their White counterparts, further perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. Comprehensive efforts to dismantle systemic inequities are essential for fostering a more equitable and healthy society.

Background: Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, a trend expected to continue. This poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children. While previous research has largely concentrated on the physical health impacts of extreme heat, less attention has been given to behavioral outcomes, such as delinquency.

Objectives: This study investigates the association between extreme heat exposure and delinquency among children, utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. It also explores the potential mediating roles of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES; measured by median home value), puberty, peer deviance, and financial difficulties.

Methods: Data from the national ABCD study were analyzed to assess the relationship between extreme heat exposure (exposure) and delinquency (outcome). Covariates included race/ethnicity, sex, and age. Mediators examined were neighborhood SES, puberty, peer deviance, and financial difficulties. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis.

Results: Overall, 11,878 children entered our analysis. The analysis revealed a significant association between extreme heat exposure and higher levels of delinquency among children. Children more exposed to extreme heat were more likely to be Black, reside in lower SES neighborhoods, experience greater financial difficulties, and have more advanced puberty status. The group facing the highest heat exposure was also economically disadvantaged.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that children already disadvantaged by socio-economic factors are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, leading to increased delinquency. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to protect these vulnerable populations and address the mediators of extreme heat exposure. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies to address these disparities.

Background: The initiation of substance use during adolescence is a significant public health concern with long-term implications. Structural and environmental factors, such as community-level crime statistics related to drug offenses, are often assumed to influence the likelihood of substance use among youth. However, the relationship between these environmental crime indicators and early substance use initiation in adolescents is not well understood.

Objective: This study aims to examine the association between environmental drug-related crime statistics-derived from Uniform Crime Reports, including drug abuse violations, drug sales, marijuana sales, drug possession, and driving under the influence (DUI)-and the use of tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol among adolescents aged 9-16 in the United States.

Methods: Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which follows a cohort of adolescents from ages 9-10 to 16, were analyzed. 11,878 participants entered our analysis. The primary environmental measures included total drug abuse violations, drug sale offenses, marijuana sale offenses, drug possession offenses, and DUI reports. Substance use outcomes of interest were the frequency and prevalence of tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use across the observed age range.

Results: Contrary to expectations, higher levels of drug-related crime in a community were not associated with increased use of tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol among adolescents. In fact, the study found a significant inverse relationship between the total number of drug-related crimes and tobacco use, suggesting lower tobacco use in areas with higher reported drug abuse violations, drug sales, marijuana sales, drug possession, and DUI incidents. No significant associations were observed between these crime indicators and the use of marijuana or alcohol.

Conclusions: These findings challenge the prevailing assumption that higher environmental drug-related crime statistics necessarily predict greater substance use among adolescents. The observed inverse relationship between drug-related crime and tobacco use warrants further investigation to understand the underlying mechanisms and to inform targeted intervention strategies. Future research should explore the complex interplay between structural environmental factors and youth substance use to better inform public health policies.

The intersection of race and place in shaping health disparities presents complex dynamics, as evidenced by studies in cities like Detroit, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, where predominantly Black and economically disadvantaged populations experience high overall rates of health problems. Surprisingly, these cities do not exhibit the most pronounced racial disparities. In contrast, areas with a higher percentage of White residents, indicative of greater income inequality, show stark differences in health outcomes between Black and White populations. This disparity underscores how conditions diverge more sharply between Black and White individuals in wealthier urban areas. This phenomenon suggests a complex and sometimes counterintuitive relationship among race, place, income, and income inequality in shaping racial health disparities. These dynamics have significant policy implications. Addressing health disparities requires nuanced strategies that recognize the multiplicative effects of race and income inequality on health outcomes. Policies focusing on areas with a high disease burden, such as Detroit, Philadelphia, and Baltimore can effectively mitigate disparities both locally and more broadly. Conversely, interventions targeting regions with lower disease prevalence, but higher racial disparities must be approached carefully to avoid exacerbating inequalities. In conclusion, understanding and addressing the complex drivers of health disparities demand comprehensive approaches that acknowledge the intertwined influences of race, income, and place. By prioritizing interventions that address economic disparities alongside health initiatives, policymakers can foster more equitable health outcomes across diverse communities.