Effects of Social Capital Among People With Heart Disease

University of California at Berkeley: Center for Family and Community Health

Topics:
Cardiovascular Health

Researchers are studying the association between heart disease and social capital, defined here as resources that enhance trust, cooperation, and social engagement among community residents and organizations. The study involves a six-year follow-up of about 123,000 people with heart disease who are members of a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in northern California. An equal number of men and women are participating; about two-thirds are white, and about one-third represents all other racial and ethnic groups. Researchers are identifying and validating indicators of social capital including number of religious and civic organizations and their membership rates; rates of crime, housing turnover, and voter registration and turnout; numbers of divorced and single-parent families; and other individual and community factors. Participants’ communities will be assessed on these indicators to determine whether they affect outcomes of cardiovascular disease. The analysis will control for medical interventions, variations in community health care systems, and economic factors.

 

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