PhD Defense Vernon Cail

Short description of thesis

The rapid growth of urban areas has major consequences for public health. As more people live in cities and communities become more diverse, understanding how social environments influence health is increasingly important. This thesis investigates how aspects of the social environment contribute to urban health and urban health inequities. The findings show that stronger social connections are generally beneficial for health. For example, people who reported greater trust and connection within their neighborhoods tended to have better health over time, and older adults with more frequent social contact experienced fewer daily depressive symptoms. This research also shows that where people live, the resources available to them, and their ability to influence decisions can interact to create lasting differences in health between neighborhoods. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that urban health is shaped by the social environments and communities in which people live.