Exposure to violence, neighborhood context, and health-related outcomes in low-income urban mothers

Abstract Exposure to violence in youths has been associated with negative health outcomes, yet evidence of such in adults is limited. Additionally, it is unknown whether these negative associations persist over time and whether neighborhood characteristics affect such associations. Using longitudinal data from a sample of 2481 mostly low-income urban mothers, logistic regressions indicate that exposure to violence is associated with several poorer health outcomes after accounting for neighborhood and social factors. Also, these poorer health outcomes persisted for two years after violence exposure. This analysis underscores the need to invest in efforts to prevent and reduce exposure to violence.