The Association of Neighborhood Medical Facilities with Aging in Place and Risk of Incident Myocardial Infarction. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Janene R.; Hirsch, Jana A.; Judd, Suzanne E.; Hurvitz, Philip M.; Howard, Virginia J.; Safford, Monika; Moore, Jeffrey; Lovasi, Gina S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 33:Number 3/4(2021)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: cardiovascular disease -- chronic conditions -- epidemiology -- neighborhoods; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264320975228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objectives: Aging in place (residential stability) is a desirable means of aging where adults remain in their homes, even when facing challenges that impair their capacity for self-care. Residential stability, especially following acute health challenges, depends on individual and community factors, possibly including proximity to medical facilities.Methods: We explored the association between the density of medical facilities around homes with risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI) and with aging in place following incident MI.Results: Densities of neighborhood pharmacies were not associated with aging in place or time to MI. High densities of neighborhood clinical care facilities were significantly associated with decreased residential stability.Discussion: The lack of significant associations between medical facility exposures and MI-related outcomes, coupled with prior findings, casts doubt on their salience and may indicate that other neighborhood features are more strongly associated with these outcomes.