Research Findings: Where people live: Effect of belonging to social groups on health Summary papers

Does belonging to social organisations protect people from the risk of heart disease?

There is much evidence that social contact is good for our health but few studies have focussed on whether being part of any particular social group or association is linked to specific risk factors for heart disease. This study investigated risk factors for heart disease (specifically body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, resting heart rate, anxiety and depression) and levels of social participation in formal groups, clubs and associations among all three cohorts from the 4th wave (2000/04) of the Twenty-07 Study. 

No consistent patterning was found for the effect of belonging to a social group on health.  Participation in some groups was associated with better health outcomes, for example, involvement in church, education- or art-related clubs was associated with lower waist-hip ratio in women only. Whereas for men being involved in social clubs was associated poorer physical health but better mental health. The most consistent results related to psychological distress where, in general, participation in groups was related to less distress. Other activities (such as participation in political associations or parent teacher organisations) were not associated with any of the health measures examined here.  We concluded that joining a social club or group would appear not to be a predictor of cardiovascular disease.

The findings do not therefore lend unequivocal support to the notion of social participation having a strong relationship with cardiovascular risk factors.
 
Ellaway, A. and S. Macintyre (2007). "Is social participation associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors?" Social Science & Medicine 64: 1384-1391.
pubmed

 

Social inclusion could improve the health of those living in deprived communities

Key priorities in Scotland’s public health agenda include reducing inequalities in health, promoting social inclusion and improving life circumstances which influence people’s health.  This project compared the health and perceived sense of social inclusion among those living in two socially contrasting neighbourhoods in Glasgow, based on data from the third wave of the Localities sample of the Twenty-07 Study collected in 1997. 

We found that people who are older and who live in owner-occupied houses in more affluent areas, and who are not working outside the home feel a greater sense of belonging to their neighbourhood.  A significant relationship was found between people’s sense of community belonging and experienced symptoms of mental and physical ill-health.  It would appear that lack of social inclusion may be more common in deprived areas in Scotland, even after taking socio-demographic circumstances into account, and may produce poorer mental health.  Those living in an area where they feel socially excluded from the community and experience poorer mental health may be on a path to reduced life circumstances and, as other research would suggest poorer long-term health.  These findings highlight the need for government to focus on promoting social capital in deprived communities.

Macintyre, S. and A. Ellaway (2000). "Neighbourhood cohesion and health in socially contrasting neighbourhoods: implications for the social exclusion and public health agendas." Health Bulletin 60(6): 450-456.
pubmed