Conceptual
Outline
Studies have shown that stress damages
health. Not only does stress weaken the immune system but it is
strongly and positively associated with heart attacks and also decreases
life expectancy. Many of the most important sources of stress in
our lives are likely to come from the socioeconomic environment and are
exacerbated by relatively low incomes (Wilkinson, 2001). People who
are lower on the socioeconomic scale tend to have less control over their
social environment and are more likely to experience more severe physiological
consequences to adverse conditions (ACPH, 1999). Therefore those
with high income will have a bettter quality of life and as a result have
better health.
The purpose of this project is to investigate
areas of the Lower Mainland likely to have the best health status based
on four indicators: income, education, employment and dwelling.
- Income is an important indicator of health because
people with higher incomes live longer, healthier lives than people with lower
incomes.
- Educational status also influences income which in
turn affects health.
- Employment has significant effect on a person's physical,
mental and social health.
- Lack of stable housing has been linked to persons
having poorer health status and this is therefore also an important factor
to consider for this analysis.
This study also investigates the contiguous relationship
of health and parks. The expected outcome is that better health
will be found in areas that are near parks.
I will therefore address the spatial question
that healthier communities in the Lower Mainland live near parks. Parks
were required to be at least one square kilometer in order to allow for
adequate space for physical activity.
Stanley Park's infamous Seawall - a great
place for exercise.
Data Collection
