Abstract
In traditional risk factor studies, health and disease have been considered to be factors relating to individuals. However, in recent studies, it has been shown that the neighborhood physical/social environment can also have an influence on the health of residents. This paper aims at summarizing the progress in, as well as the limitations of, recent studies on neighborhoods and health. An overview of studies on the health effects of neighborhoods is given, while focusing on “food” and “physical activity,” and then problems with the measurement of the effects of neighborhood environments are discussed. Finally, to take into account the diverse nature of neighborhood environments, further empirical studies in Japan are needed.
