Researchers found that individuals who feel safe from crime in their communities are less likely to die from heart attacks. The researchers aimed to determine whether living in neighborhoods with certain characteristics could impact mortality rates and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They examined data from approximately 36,000 adults in China, aged between 35 and 70. Participants completed surveys regarding their neighborhood environments, including information on their sense of safety from crime, community satisfaction, aesthetics of their neighborhoods (such as trees, trash, and sidewalks), proximity to shops, and other factors. The researchers also looked at the medical records of the study participants.
After an average follow-up of about 12 years, there were just over 2,000 deaths, including 765 attributed to cardiovascular diseases. There were also 3,000 cases of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. They found that individuals reporting living in areas where they feel safe from crime were 9% less likely to die during the follow-up period. They were also 10% less likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, according to a research paper presented at the ESC conference in Amsterdam. The team noted that the highest sense of safety from crime was associated with a 6% reduced likelihood of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
Study author Mingya Li from the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing stated, "There is increasing evidence that the neighborhood we live in affects our health. This study highlights the importance of many aspects surrounding us for heart health and longevity, including the feeling of safety, the presence of shops, accessible transportation, parks nearby, cleanliness, and the perception that our area is a good place to live and raise children."
