Health outcomes can vary significantly across Philadelphia neighborhoods because of differences in environmental conditions, including vacant lots, abandoned houses, poorly maintained parks, and limited tree coverage. Eugenia South, MD, MS, explained how these neighborhood conditions can influence residents’ physical health, mental well-being, and perceptions of safety.
South’s research found that greening vacant lots improved residents’ self-reported mental health, while neighborhood remediation was associated with reductions in gun violence and other crimes. She is also working with CHIBE expert Atheendar Venkataramani, PhD, MD, MPhil, on a randomized trial examining whether concentrated financial and environmental investments in Black neighborhoods can improve health and safety.