Despite the growing body of evidence linking environmental factors to violence and drug exposure, traditional prevention programs have not targeted environmental factors. Instead, intervention programs have typically focused on individuals or families and their high-risk behavior. The proposed investigation seeks to classify both individual- and community-level distributions and determinants of violence and alcohol and other drug (AOD) exposure by identifying environmental factors associated with increased neighborhood violence and AOD exposure among youth. To achieve these goals, independent objective neighborhood ratings will be conducted on a random sample of two unit blocks within each of 277 ecologically defined city neighborhoods to (a) gather information on the physical environment of the neighborhood;(b) clarify the environmental contexts in which youth live and experience violence and AOD exposure;and (c) provide insight on environmental targets for future intervention efforts. To link community-level factors with individual youth violence and AOD exposure, we will also conduct environmental assessments of neighborhoods among the 316 Baltimore youth participating in the Baltimore Prevention Program (BPP). The BPP data are rich in longitudinal information on both violence and AOD exposure as well as social adaptation and psychological well-being from early childhood thru late adolescence. This work will provide a model approach for assessment and identification of environmental factors linked with increased violence and AOD exposure and guide future community-level environmental preventive interventions. This innovative approach to environmental violence and AOD assessment forms the basis for the next stage of research that involves development and implementation of action plans to target specific environmental indicators. As such this investigation initiates a line of inquiry that will advance the evidence base for strategies in program modeling and improve the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of existing programs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA015196-06
Application #
7798631
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-A (50))
Program Officer
Freeman, Robert
Project Start
2005-04-01
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$548,373
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Nesoff, Elizabeth D; Milam, Adam J; Pollack, Keshia M et al. (2018) Neighbourhood alcohol environment and injury risk: a spatial analysis of pedestrian injury in Baltimore City. Inj Prev :
Milam, Adam J; Johnson, Renee M; Nesoff, Elizabeth D et al. (2016) Evaluating Nighttime Observational Measures of Neighborhood Disorder: Validity of the Nighttime NIfETy Assessment. J Environ Psychol 45:97-102
Furr-Holden, Debra M; Milam, Adam J; Nesoff, Elizabeth D et al. (2016) Triangulating Syndemic Services and Drug Treatment Policy: Improving Drug Treatment Portal Locations in Baltimore City. Prog Community Health Partnersh 10:319-27
Furr-Holden, C Debra M; Lee, Myong Hwa; Johnson, Renee et al. (2015) Neighborhood environment and marijuana use in urban young adults. Prev Sci 16:268-78
Milam, A J; Furr-Holden, C D M; Cooley-Strickland, M C et al. (2014) Risk for exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on the route to and from school: the role of alcohol outlets. Prev Sci 15:12-21
Brown, Qiana L; Milam, Adam J; Smart, Mieka J et al. (2014) Objective and perceived neighborhood characteristics and tobacco use among young adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 134:370-375
Whitaker, Damiya; Milam, Adam J; Graham, Camelia M et al. (2013) Neighborhood environment and urban schoolchildren's risk for being overweight. Am J Health Promot 27:410-6
Milam, Aj; Furr-Holden, Cdm; Bradshaw, Cp et al. (2013) Alcohol Environment, Perceived Safety, and Exposure to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs in Early Adolescence. J Community Psychol 41:867-883
Curriero, Frank C; James, Nathan T; Shields, Timothy M et al. (2013) Exploring walking path quality as a factor for urban elementary school children's active transport to school. J Phys Act Health 10:323-34
Furr-Holden, C Debra M; Milam, Adam J; Reynolds, Elizabeth K et al. (2012) Disordered neighborhood environments and risk-taking propensity in late childhood through adolescence. J Adolesc Health 50:100-2

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