Graciela Mentz
Biographic Data
| ID | 3587900 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Graciela Mentz |
| GIVEN NAMES | Graciela |
| FAMILY NAME | Mentz |
| SIGNATURE | MENTZ G |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Michigan |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0501-3516 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 35 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 373 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 35 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 9 |
Defining “Overburdened Communities” in State-Level Legislation Using Cumulative Impacts Frameworks to Inform Environmental Decision-Making
Differences in PM 2.5 concentrations were largest when OBC definitions included race/ethnicity, and if current trends continue, are projected to increase over time, regardless of OBC definition. Exposure inequalities for OBCs defined using race and ethnicity are only eliminated under scenarios that double or quadruple current rates of reduction
Environmental and patient safety outcomes of a health-system Green Anesthesia Initiative (Gaia)
University of Michigan Medical School and National Institutes of Health
A prospective longitudinal approach to examine the association between social position in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood with the control of hypertension during adulthood
Introduction: Hypertension is one of the main concerns in public health, since it is related with increased morbidity, and potential years of life lost in addition to loss of quality of life. This study aimed to assess: (1) the distribution of indicators of life course SEP in a cohort of Colombian patients with hypertension and (2) to assess the association of life course SEP and control of hypertension among this cohort of patients. Methods: Dat…
Validation of the Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success (Maps) Questionnaire
Conceptualizing and testing factors that contribute to the success of community–academic partnerships are critical to understanding their contributions to the health and well-being of communities. Most measures to date focus on factors that contribute to the development of new partnerships, and only a few have been adequately tested and validated. Methods. The Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success (MAPS) study followed a community-based p…
Cardiovascular disease prevention capacity in Colombian local health departments
Prevention capacity of local health organisations is associated with the performance and outcomes in public health. In Colombia, where cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, there is limited knowledge about the capacity of local health departments to prevent this condition. Efforts are needed to address problems, potential solutions and expected outcomes regarding cardiovascular disease. In this study, a conceptua…
Success in Long-Standing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Partnerships
Background. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is increasingly used by community and academic partners to examine health inequities and promote health equity in communities. Despite increasing numbers of CBPR partnerships, there is a lack of consensus in the field regarding what defines partnership success and how to measure factors contributing to success in long-standing CBPR partnerships. Aims. To identify indicators and measures of…
Mobilizing for Community Benefits to Assess Health and Promote Environmental Justice near the Gordie Howe International Bridge
Transportation infrastructure decisions contribute to social, economic, and health inequities in the U.S. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) may improve understanding of potential strategies to mitigate adverse effects on quality of life from planned developments. We use the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB), currently under construction in southwest Detroit, MI, as a case study to examine 15 years of community mobilization, which resulted in…
Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success
Through the application of a theoretical model and multiple methodological approaches, the MAPS study will result in a validated measurement instrument and will develop procedures for effectively feeding back evaluation findings in order to strengthen authentic partnerships to achieve health equity
Independent and joint contributions of economic, social and physical environmental characteristics to mortality in the Detroit Metropolitan Area
Social relationships, neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk
Prior research has established associations between neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk (CBR). CBR is conceptualized as indicative of the effects of stress on biological functioning, and is linked with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest that supportive social relationships may be health protective, and may erode under conditions of poverty. This study examines whether social relationships are inversely associated …
MI-Environment
Independent and Joint Contributions of Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Population Vulnerability to Mortality in the Detroit Metropolitan Area
Fine particulate matter is associated with adverse health outcomes. Exposure to fine particulate matter may disproportionately affect urban communities with larger numbers of vulnerable residents. We used multilevel logistic regression models to estimate the joint effects of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and population vulnerabilities on cardiopulmonary mortality (CPM). We estimated the health benefits of reductions in PM 2.5 across census tr…
Land-grabbing, land-use transformation and social differentiation
Impact of change over time in self-reported discrimination on blood pressure
Objectives: The 21st century has seen a rise in racism and xenophobia in the United States. Few studies have examined the health implications of heightened institutional and interpersonal racism. This study examines changes in reported discrimination and associations with blood pressure over time among non-Latino Blacks (NLBs), Latinos, and non-Latino Whites (NLWs) in an urban area, and variations by nativity among Latinos. Design: Data from a pr…
Effects of Airborne Particulate Matter on Respiratory Health in a Community near a Cement Factory in Chilanga, Zambia
We conducted a panel study to investigate seasonal variations in concentrations of airborne PM 2.5 and PM 10 and the effects on respiratory health in a community near a cement factory; in Chilanga; Zambia. A panel of 63 and 55 participants aged 21 to 59 years from a community located at the edge of the factory within 1 km and a control community located 18 km from the factory respectively; were followed up for three climatic seasons July 2015 to …
Neighborhood Context, Homeownership and Home Value
While homeownership has been linked to positive health outcomes there is limited evidence regarding the conditions under which it may be health protective. We present a conceptual model linking homeownership to health, highlighting key potential pathways. Using the Detroit Metropolitan Area as a case study, and data from the American Community Survey (2009-2013; 5-years estimates) and Michigan Department of Community Health, we tested the followi…
Independent Effects of Neighborhood Poverty and Psychosocial Stress on Obesity Over Time
Neighbourhood Poverty, Perceived Discrimination and Central Adiposity in the Usa
This study examines the independent effects of neighbourhood context (i.e. neighbourhood poverty) and exposure to perceived discrimination in shaping risk of obesity over time. Weighted three-level hierarchical linear regression models for a continuous outcome were used to assess the independent effects of neighbourhood poverty and perceived discrimination on obesity over time in a sample of 157 non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White and Hispanic…
Multidirectional Translation of Environmental Health Science in Community Settings
Through this example, we highlight how collaborative partnerships can enhance multidirectional dialogue to inform translation of environmental health science by promoting consideration of multilevel risk factors, local priorities and context, and diverse audiences
Social patterning of cardiovascular and metabolic risk in Colombian adults
Findings suggest that for Colombian adults CMR is patterned by SES; these associations differ by sex/gender
Race and the Distribution of Social and Physical Environmental Risk
Since W. E. B. Du Bois documented the physical and social environments of Philadelphia's predominantly African American Seventh Ward over a century ago, there has been continued interest in understanding the distribution of social and physical environments by racial make-up of communities. Characterization of these environments allows for documentation of inequities, identifies communities which encounter heightened risk, and can inform action to…
Effects of Particulate Matter and Antioxidant Dietary Intake on Blood Pressure
Objectives. We assessed 2 pathways through which dietary antioxidants may counter adverse effects of exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5 ) on blood pressure (BP): main (compensatory) and modifying (protective) models. Methods. We used 2002 to 2003 data from the Detroit Healthy Environments Partnership community survey conducted with a multiethnic sample of adults (n = 347) in low- to moderate-income, predo…
Food shopping behaviours and exposure to discrimination
Objective The present study examined food shopping behaviours, particularly distance to grocery shop, and exposure to discrimination. Design Cross-sectional observational study utilizing data from a community survey, neighbourhood food environment observations and the decennial census. Setting Three communities in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Subjects Probability sample of 919 African-American, Latino and white adults in 146 census blocks and sixty-ni…
Designing Healthy Neighborhoods
Detroit is a city with low-density housing and a high proportion of lower-socioeconomic-status multiethnic residents. Physical activity tends to be lower in low- to moderate-income urban communities. To understand the design components of healthy neighborhoods, interrelationships between built environment characteristics and walking behavior were studied for three neighborhoods. Results suggest that as independent predictors, higher density and m…
Do observed or perceived characteristics of the neighborhood environment mediate associations between neighborhood poverty and cumulative biological risk
Discrimination, Symptoms of Depression, and Self-Rated Health Among African American Women in Detroit
The results reported here are consistent with the hypothesis that everyday encounters with discrimination are causally associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. In this sample of African American women, this association holds above and beyond the effects of income and education
Land-grabbing, land-use transformation and social differentiation
Do observed or perceived characteristics of the neighborhood environment mediate associations between neighborhood poverty and cumulative biological risk
Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Allostatic Load
Objectives. We examined relationships between neighborhood poverty and allostatic load in a low- to moderate-income multiracial urban community. We tested the hypothesis that neighborhood poverty is associated with allostatic load, controlling for household poverty. We also examined the hypotheses that this association was mediated by psychosocial stress and health-related behaviors. Methods. We conducted multilevel analyses using cross-sectional…
Do Neighborhood Economic Characteristics, Racial Composition, and Residential Stability Predict Perceptions of Stress Associated with the Physical and Social Environment? Findings from a Multilevel An…
Race and the Distribution of Social and Physical Environmental Risk
Since W. E. B. Du Bois documented the physical and social environments of Philadelphia's predominantly African American Seventh Ward over a century ago, there has been continued interest in understanding the distribution of social and physical environments by racial make-up of communities. Characterization of these environments allows for documentation of inequities, identifies communities which encounter heightened risk, and can inform action to…
Impact of change over time in self-reported discrimination on blood pressure
Objectives: The 21st century has seen a rise in racism and xenophobia in the United States. Few studies have examined the health implications of heightened institutional and interpersonal racism. This study examines changes in reported discrimination and associations with blood pressure over time among non-Latino Blacks (NLBs), Latinos, and non-Latino Whites (NLWs) in an urban area, and variations by nativity among Latinos. Design: Data from a pr…
Inter-rater and test–retest reliability
Designing Healthy Neighborhoods
Detroit is a city with low-density housing and a high proportion of lower-socioeconomic-status multiethnic residents. Physical activity tends to be lower in low- to moderate-income urban communities. To understand the design components of healthy neighborhoods, interrelationships between built environment characteristics and walking behavior were studied for three neighborhoods. Results suggest that as independent predictors, higher density and m…
Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success
Through the application of a theoretical model and multiple methodological approaches, the MAPS study will result in a validated measurement instrument and will develop procedures for effectively feeding back evaluation findings in order to strengthen authentic partnerships to achieve health equity
Independent Effects of Neighborhood Poverty and Psychosocial Stress on Obesity Over Time
Independent and Joint Associations between Multiple Measures of the Built and Social Environment and Physical Activity in a Multi-Ethnic Urban Community
Neighborhood food environment role in modifying psychosocial stress–diet relationships
Independent and joint contributions of economic, social and physical environmental characteristics to mortality in the Detroit Metropolitan Area
Relational pathways between socioeconomic position and cardiovascular risk in a multiethnic urban sample
BACKGROUND: The study was designed to provide evidence of a cascade effect linking socioeconomic position to anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through effects on psychosocial stress, psychological distress and health-related behaviours, and consider implications for disease prevention and health promotion. METHODS: A cross-sectional stratified two-stage probability sample of occupied housing units in three areas of De…
MI-Environment
Inter-Rater Reliability of the Food Environment Audit for Diverse Neighborhoods (Fead-N)
Multidirectional Translation of Environmental Health Science in Community Settings
Through this example, we highlight how collaborative partnerships can enhance multidirectional dialogue to inform translation of environmental health science by promoting consideration of multilevel risk factors, local priorities and context, and diverse audiences
Effects of Particulate Matter and Antioxidant Dietary Intake on Blood Pressure
Objectives. We assessed 2 pathways through which dietary antioxidants may counter adverse effects of exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5 ) on blood pressure (BP): main (compensatory) and modifying (protective) models. Methods. We used 2002 to 2003 data from the Detroit Healthy Environments Partnership community survey conducted with a multiethnic sample of adults (n = 347) in low- to moderate-income, predo…
Exposure to fine particulate matter and acute effects on blood pressure
BACKGROUND: Observational studies and controlled experiments have provided evidence that airborne particulate matter (PM) is capable of acutely increasing blood pressure (BP) in certain scenarios. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether and to what extent obesity and community location affect relationships between fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) and blood pressure (BP) measures. METHODS: Using data from a stratified random sample survey …
Inter-rater and test–retest reliability
Discrimination, Symptoms of Depression, and Self-Rated Health Among African American Women in Detroit
The results reported here are consistent with the hypothesis that everyday encounters with discrimination are causally associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. In this sample of African American women, this association holds above and beyond the effects of income and education
Do Neighborhood Economic Characteristics, Racial Composition, and Residential Stability Predict Perceptions of Stress Associated with the Physical and Social Environment? Findings from a Multilevel An…
Relational pathways between socioeconomic position and cardiovascular risk in a multiethnic urban sample
BACKGROUND: The study was designed to provide evidence of a cascade effect linking socioeconomic position to anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through effects on psychosocial stress, psychological distress and health-related behaviours, and consider implications for disease prevention and health promotion. METHODS: A cross-sectional stratified two-stage probability sample of occupied housing units in three areas of De…
Neighborhood Retail Food Environment and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in a Multiethnic Urban Population
PURPOSE: To examine relationships between the neighborhood food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in a multiethnic urban population. DESIGN: Analysis of cross-sectional survey and observational data. SETTING: One hundred forty-six neighborhoods within three large geographic communities of Detroit, Michigan. SUBJECTS: Probability sample of 919 African-American, Latino, and white adults. MEASURES: The dependent variable was mean daily frui…
Exposure to fine particulate matter and acute effects on blood pressure
BACKGROUND: Observational studies and controlled experiments have provided evidence that airborne particulate matter (PM) is capable of acutely increasing blood pressure (BP) in certain scenarios. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether and to what extent obesity and community location affect relationships between fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) and blood pressure (BP) measures. METHODS: Using data from a stratified random sample survey …
Inter-Rater Reliability of the Food Environment Audit for Diverse Neighborhoods (Fead-N)
Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and Allostatic Load
Objectives. We examined relationships between neighborhood poverty and allostatic load in a low- to moderate-income multiracial urban community. We tested the hypothesis that neighborhood poverty is associated with allostatic load, controlling for household poverty. We also examined the hypotheses that this association was mediated by psychosocial stress and health-related behaviors. Methods. We conducted multilevel analyses using cross-sectional…
Do observed or perceived characteristics of the neighborhood environment mediate associations between neighborhood poverty and cumulative biological risk
Independent and Joint Associations between Multiple Measures of the Built and Social Environment and Physical Activity in a Multi-Ethnic Urban Community
Neighborhood food environment role in modifying psychosocial stress–diet relationships
Food shopping behaviours and exposure to discrimination
Objective The present study examined food shopping behaviours, particularly distance to grocery shop, and exposure to discrimination. Design Cross-sectional observational study utilizing data from a community survey, neighbourhood food environment observations and the decennial census. Setting Three communities in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Subjects Probability sample of 919 African-American, Latino and white adults in 146 census blocks and sixty-ni…
Designing Healthy Neighborhoods
Detroit is a city with low-density housing and a high proportion of lower-socioeconomic-status multiethnic residents. Physical activity tends to be lower in low- to moderate-income urban communities. To understand the design components of healthy neighborhoods, interrelationships between built environment characteristics and walking behavior were studied for three neighborhoods. Results suggest that as independent predictors, higher density and m…
Effects of Particulate Matter and Antioxidant Dietary Intake on Blood Pressure
Objectives. We assessed 2 pathways through which dietary antioxidants may counter adverse effects of exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5 ) on blood pressure (BP): main (compensatory) and modifying (protective) models. Methods. We used 2002 to 2003 data from the Detroit Healthy Environments Partnership community survey conducted with a multiethnic sample of adults (n = 347) in low- to moderate-income, predo…
Neighbourhood Poverty, Perceived Discrimination and Central Adiposity in the Usa
This study examines the independent effects of neighbourhood context (i.e. neighbourhood poverty) and exposure to perceived discrimination in shaping risk of obesity over time. Weighted three-level hierarchical linear regression models for a continuous outcome were used to assess the independent effects of neighbourhood poverty and perceived discrimination on obesity over time in a sample of 157 non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White and Hispanic…
Multidirectional Translation of Environmental Health Science in Community Settings
Through this example, we highlight how collaborative partnerships can enhance multidirectional dialogue to inform translation of environmental health science by promoting consideration of multilevel risk factors, local priorities and context, and diverse audiences
Social patterning of cardiovascular and metabolic risk in Colombian adults
Findings suggest that for Colombian adults CMR is patterned by SES; these associations differ by sex/gender
Race and the Distribution of Social and Physical Environmental Risk
Since W. E. B. Du Bois documented the physical and social environments of Philadelphia's predominantly African American Seventh Ward over a century ago, there has been continued interest in understanding the distribution of social and physical environments by racial make-up of communities. Characterization of these environments allows for documentation of inequities, identifies communities which encounter heightened risk, and can inform action to…
Effects of Airborne Particulate Matter on Respiratory Health in a Community near a Cement Factory in Chilanga, Zambia
We conducted a panel study to investigate seasonal variations in concentrations of airborne PM 2.5 and PM 10 and the effects on respiratory health in a community near a cement factory; in Chilanga; Zambia. A panel of 63 and 55 participants aged 21 to 59 years from a community located at the edge of the factory within 1 km and a control community located 18 km from the factory respectively; were followed up for three climatic seasons July 2015 to …
Neighborhood Context, Homeownership and Home Value
While homeownership has been linked to positive health outcomes there is limited evidence regarding the conditions under which it may be health protective. We present a conceptual model linking homeownership to health, highlighting key potential pathways. Using the Detroit Metropolitan Area as a case study, and data from the American Community Survey (2009-2013; 5-years estimates) and Michigan Department of Community Health, we tested the followi…
Independent Effects of Neighborhood Poverty and Psychosocial Stress on Obesity Over Time
Independent and Joint Contributions of Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Population Vulnerability to Mortality in the Detroit Metropolitan Area
Fine particulate matter is associated with adverse health outcomes. Exposure to fine particulate matter may disproportionately affect urban communities with larger numbers of vulnerable residents. We used multilevel logistic regression models to estimate the joint effects of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and population vulnerabilities on cardiopulmonary mortality (CPM). We estimated the health benefits of reductions in PM 2.5 across census tr…
Land-grabbing, land-use transformation and social differentiation
Impact of change over time in self-reported discrimination on blood pressure
Objectives: The 21st century has seen a rise in racism and xenophobia in the United States. Few studies have examined the health implications of heightened institutional and interpersonal racism. This study examines changes in reported discrimination and associations with blood pressure over time among non-Latino Blacks (NLBs), Latinos, and non-Latino Whites (NLWs) in an urban area, and variations by nativity among Latinos. Design: Data from a pr…
Social relationships, neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk
Prior research has established associations between neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk (CBR). CBR is conceptualized as indicative of the effects of stress on biological functioning, and is linked with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest that supportive social relationships may be health protective, and may erode under conditions of poverty. This study examines whether social relationships are inversely associated …
Medicine (30 works) · Environmental health (22 works) · Sociology (19 works) · Psychology (16 works) · Geography (15 works) · Demography (14 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (14 works) · Population (14 works) · Gerontology (12 works) · Economics (11 works)