Mariël Droomers
Biographic Data
| ID | 1737142 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mariël Droomers |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mariël |
| FAMILY NAME | Droomers |
| SIGNATURE | DROOMERS M |
| AFFILIATIONS | National Institute for Public Health and the Environment |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0867-8559 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 36 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 147 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 36 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1998 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
Understanding the systems dynamics of neighborhood socioeconomic inequities in health in European cities
Urban neighborhood inequities in health remain a persistent public health issue, despite many efforts to promote health equity. Given the complex nature of these inequities, a complex systems science approach is essential to identify and understand their underlying causes. In this study, a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to visualize the underlying mechanisms contributing to urban neighborhood inequities in self-assessed health. The CLD w…
Urban densification in the Netherlands and its impact on mental health
Urban densification is a key strategy to accommodate rapid urban population growth, but emerging evidence suggests serious risks of urban densification for individuals' mental health. To better understand the complex pathways from urban densification to mental health, we integrated interdisciplinary expert knowledge in a causal loop diagram via group model building techniques. Six subsystems were identified: five subsystems describing mechanisms …
Understanding the mechanisms linking holistic housing renovations to health and well-being of adults in disadvantaged neighbourhoods
Holistic housing renovations combine physical housing improvements with social and socioeconomic interventions (e.g. referral to social services, debt counselling, involvement in decision-making, promoting social cohesion). This realist review aimed at understanding underlying mechanisms linking holistic housing renovations to health and well-being of adults in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Following systematic and iterative searching, and releva…
Environmental, health, wellbeing, social and equity effects of urban green space interventions
BACKGROUND: As populations become increasingly urbanised, the preservation of urban green space (UGS) becomes paramount. UGS is not just dedicated recreational space such as public parks, but other types of informal green space are important, for example, street trees and roof gardens. Despite the potential from cross-sectional evidence, we know little about how to design new, or improve or promote existing UGS for health, wellbeing, social and e…
Does selective migration bias the health impact assessment of urban regeneration programmes in cross-sectional studies? Findings from a Dutch case study
We examined if the assessment of the health impact of a national Dutch regeneration programme depends on using either a repeated cross-sectional or longitudinal study design. This is important as only the latter design can incorporate migration patterns. For both designs, we compared trends in medication use between target and control districts. We found differences in medication use trends to be modest under the longitudinal design, and not demo…
Does the Health Impact of Exposure to Neighbourhood Green Space Differ between Population Groups? An Explorative Study in Four European Cities
It has been suggested that certain residents, such as those with a low socioeconomic status, the elderly, and women, may benefit more from the presence of neighbourhood green space than others. We tested this hypothesis for age, gender, educational level, and employment status in four European cities. Data were collected in Barcelona (Spain; n = 1002), Kaunas (Lithuania; n = 989), Doetinchem (The Netherlands; n = 847), and Stoke-on-Trent (UK; n =…
Is it better to invest in place or people to maximize population health? Evaluation of the general health impact of urban regeneration in Dutch deprived neighbourhoods
The impact of greenery on physical activity and mental health of adolescent and adult residents of deprived neighborhoods
The interplay between neighbourhood characteristics
Impact of a Dutch urban regeneration programme on mental health trends
BACKGROUND: This paper aims to assess the mental health impact of an urban regeneration programme implemented from 2008 onwards in the 40 most deprived districts in the Netherlands. Interventions varied from improvements in the built environment to activities promoting social cohesion. METHODS: We accessed repeated cross-sectional data from the annual Health Interview Survey, for the period 2004-2011 among adults (n target districts=1445, n rest …
The impact of intervening in green space in Dutch deprived neighbourhoods on physical activity and general health
BACKGROUND: Many problems concentrate in deprived neighbourhoods, among which is poor health. One possible way to address these health problems is to invest in the green space in deprived neighbourhoods. The number of evaluations of the public health impact of actual changes in neighbourhood green space is still limited. This study investigated the impact of real-life changes in the quality or quantity of green space in severely deprived neighbou…
Are area-based initiatives able to improve area safety in deprived areas? A quasi-experimental evaluation of the Dutch District Approach
Results suggest that the District Approach has been unable to improve perceptions of area safety and disorder in deprived areas, but that it did result in declining victimization rates
Health effects of employment
The association between adolescents’ health and disparities in school career
Adolescents' secondary school career is negatively affected by the presence of acute psychosocial health problems, but not by the presence of physical health problems. This underlines the importance of adequately addressing mental health problems in adolescence
Social safety, self-rated general health and physical activity
The relationship between physical activity and the living environment
The Relationship Between Health, Education, and Health Literacy
Health literacy has been put forward as a potential mechanism explaining the well-documented relationship between education and health. However, little empirical research has been undertaken to explore this hypothesis. The present study aims to study whether health literacy could be a pathway by which level of education affects health status. Health literacy was measured by the Health Activities and Literacy Scale, using data from a subsample of …
Community social capital and suicide mortality in the Netherlands
This study contributed some evidence to assume a modest effect of community social capital on suicide mortality rates. This effect may be restricted to specific population groups such as younger unmarried men
Health literacy of Dutch adults
Perceived difficulties with health information vary between competences and domains of health. Health literacy competences are associated with indicators of socio-economic position and with the domain in which health information is provided
Why residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to be heavy drinkers
BACKGROUND: Earlier research has shown that residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods drink less alcohol than people in other areas. We aimed to assess the role of individual and neighbourhood characteristics in a cross-sectional, nationwide, multilevel study. METHODS: Individual data of 30,117 Dutch adults, living in 1722 neighbourhoods across the Netherlands, were obtained from the 2004 to 2009 national health survey (POLS). Chronic heavy alco…
Health inequalities in the Netherlands
The cross-sectional design hinders the making of definite etiological inferences. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that Type D personality does not explain the socioeconomic health inequalities, but is a risk factor in addition to low SES. Prevention of adverse health outcomes in low SES populations may have more effect when it takes into account that persons with a low SES in combination with a Type D personality are at highest risk
The development of socio-economic health differences in childhood
Socio-economic health disparities already occur very early in life. Socio-economic disadvantage takes its toll on child health before birth, and continues to do so during childhood. Therefore, action to reduce health disparities needs to start very early in life, and should also address socio-economic differences in maternal age at birth, breastfeeding habits, and day-care centre attendance
Migration does not enlarge inequalities in health between rich and poor neighbourhoods in The Netherlands
P1-450 Improvements in social cohesion
Introduction Much research exists on the relationship between environmental factors and physical activity (PA). However, few studies have investigated the role of social cohesion in neighbourhoods. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which social cohesion and changes over time in the levels of social cohesion were associated with PA. Methods We used data from the survey WoonOnderzoek Nederland 2006 and 2009, using two samples of 57 …
The effect of neighbourhood income and deprivation on pregnancy outcomes in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that the neighbourhoods in which people live influence their health. The main objective of this study was to investigate the associations of neighbourhood-level income and unemployment/social security benefit on pregnancy outcomes: preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and miscarriage/perinatal death in Amsterdam. METHODS: A random sample of 7883 from 82 neighbourhoods …
Educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity
Educational level and decreases in leisure time physical activity
METHODS Potential predictors of decreasing physical activity were measured in 1991. Logistic regression analyses were carried out for two age groups (
The relationship between physical activity and the living environment
Exceptions to the rule
Occupational level of the father and alcohol consumption during adolescence; patterns and predictors
Study objective: This paper describes and attempts to explain the association between occupational level of the father and high alcohol consumption among a cohort of New Zealand adolescents from age 11 to 21. Design: Data were obtained from the longitudinal Dunedin multidisciplinary health and development study. At each measurement wave, those who then belonged to the quartile that reported the highest usual amount of alcohol consumed on a typica…
Migration does not enlarge inequalities in health between rich and poor neighbourhoods in The Netherlands
The association of neighbourhood psychosocial stressors and self-rated health in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between neighbourhood-level psychosocial stressors (i.e. experience of crime, nuisance from neighbours, drug misuse, youngsters frequently hanging around, rubbish on the streets, feeling unsafe and dissatisfaction with the quality of green space) and self-rated health in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 2914 subjects aged > or = 18 years from 75 neighbourhoods in the city of Amste…
Social safety, self-rated general health and physical activity
The effect of neighbourhood income and deprivation on pregnancy outcomes in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that the neighbourhoods in which people live influence their health. The main objective of this study was to investigate the associations of neighbourhood-level income and unemployment/social security benefit on pregnancy outcomes: preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and miscarriage/perinatal death in Amsterdam. METHODS: A random sample of 7883 from 82 neighbourhoods …
The impact of greenery on physical activity and mental health of adolescent and adult residents of deprived neighborhoods
The interplay between neighbourhood characteristics
Educational differences in starting excessive alcohol consumption
Father’s Occupational Group and Daily Smoking During Adolescence
Objectives. We investigated the relationship among father’s occupational group, daily smoking, and smoking determinants in a cohort of New Zealand adolescents. Methods. The longitudinal Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study provided information on adolescents’ self-reported smoking behavior and potential predictors of smoking, such as social and material factors, personality characteristics, educational achievement, and individual attitu…
Is it better to invest in place or people to maximize population health? Evaluation of the general health impact of urban regeneration in Dutch deprived neighbourhoods
Why residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to be heavy drinkers
BACKGROUND: Earlier research has shown that residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods drink less alcohol than people in other areas. We aimed to assess the role of individual and neighbourhood characteristics in a cross-sectional, nationwide, multilevel study. METHODS: Individual data of 30,117 Dutch adults, living in 1722 neighbourhoods across the Netherlands, were obtained from the 2004 to 2009 national health survey (POLS). Chronic heavy alco…
The impact of intervening in green space in Dutch deprived neighbourhoods on physical activity and general health
BACKGROUND: Many problems concentrate in deprived neighbourhoods, among which is poor health. One possible way to address these health problems is to invest in the green space in deprived neighbourhoods. The number of evaluations of the public health impact of actual changes in neighbourhood green space is still limited. This study investigated the impact of real-life changes in the quality or quantity of green space in severely deprived neighbou…
Higher mortality in urban neighbourhoods in The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Urban residents have higher mortality risks than rural residents. These urban-rural differences might be more pronounced within certain demographic subpopulations. AIM: To determine urban-rural differences in all-cause and cause-specific mortality within specific demographic subpopulations of the Dutch population. METHOD: Mortality records with information on gender, age, marital status, region of origin and place of residence were av…
Impact of a Dutch urban regeneration programme on mental health trends
BACKGROUND: This paper aims to assess the mental health impact of an urban regeneration programme implemented from 2008 onwards in the 40 most deprived districts in the Netherlands. Interventions varied from improvements in the built environment to activities promoting social cohesion. METHODS: We accessed repeated cross-sectional data from the annual Health Interview Survey, for the period 2004-2011 among adults (n target districts=1445, n rest …
Educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity
Educational level and decreases in leisure time physical activity
METHODS Potential predictors of decreasing physical activity were measured in 1991. Logistic regression analyses were carried out for two age groups (
Occupational level of the father and alcohol consumption during adolescence; patterns and predictors
Study objective: This paper describes and attempts to explain the association between occupational level of the father and high alcohol consumption among a cohort of New Zealand adolescents from age 11 to 21. Design: Data were obtained from the longitudinal Dunedin multidisciplinary health and development study. At each measurement wave, those who then belonged to the quartile that reported the highest usual amount of alcohol consumed on a typica…
Educational differences in starting excessive alcohol consumption
Father’s Occupational Group and Daily Smoking During Adolescence
Objectives. We investigated the relationship among father’s occupational group, daily smoking, and smoking determinants in a cohort of New Zealand adolescents. Methods. The longitudinal Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study provided information on adolescents’ self-reported smoking behavior and potential predictors of smoking, such as social and material factors, personality characteristics, educational achievement, and individual attitu…
Ethnic differences in the effect of environmental stressors on blood pressure and hypertension in the Netherlands
The study findings show that neighbourhood-level stressors are associated with BP in ethnic minority groups but were less evident in the Dutch group. These findings might imply that the higher BP levels found in some ethnic minority groups might be partly due to their greater susceptibility to the adverse neighbourhood environment in which many ethnic minority people live. Primary prevention measures targeting these neighbourhood stressors may ha…
A systematic review of associations between environmental factors, energy and fat intakes among adults
Objective To review the literature examining associations between environmental factors, energy and fat intakes among adults, and to identify issues for future research. Methods Literature searches of studies published between 1980 and 2004 were conducted in major databases (i.e. PubMed, Human Nutrition, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Sociofile). Additional articles were located by citation tracking. Results Twenty-one articles met the inclusion crit…
The association of neighbourhood psychosocial stressors and self-rated health in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between neighbourhood-level psychosocial stressors (i.e. experience of crime, nuisance from neighbours, drug misuse, youngsters frequently hanging around, rubbish on the streets, feeling unsafe and dissatisfaction with the quality of green space) and self-rated health in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 2914 subjects aged > or = 18 years from 75 neighbourhoods in the city of Amste…
Exceptions to the rule
Higher mortality in urban neighbourhoods in The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Urban residents have higher mortality risks than rural residents. These urban-rural differences might be more pronounced within certain demographic subpopulations. AIM: To determine urban-rural differences in all-cause and cause-specific mortality within specific demographic subpopulations of the Dutch population. METHOD: Mortality records with information on gender, age, marital status, region of origin and place of residence were av…
Environmental attributes related to walking and bicycling at the individual and contextual level
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present paper was to give insight into the practical consequences of using either single-level or multilevel regression analyses on data from research on environmental determinants of physical activity. METHODS: For this purpose, results from single-level and multilevel regression analyses on comparable attributes of the environment were compared using a combination of individual and aggregated data, merged at the neighb…
The effect of neighbourhood income and deprivation on pregnancy outcomes in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that the neighbourhoods in which people live influence their health. The main objective of this study was to investigate the associations of neighbourhood-level income and unemployment/social security benefit on pregnancy outcomes: preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and miscarriage/perinatal death in Amsterdam. METHODS: A random sample of 7883 from 82 neighbourhoods …
The development of socio-economic health differences in childhood
Socio-economic health disparities already occur very early in life. Socio-economic disadvantage takes its toll on child health before birth, and continues to do so during childhood. Therefore, action to reduce health disparities needs to start very early in life, and should also address socio-economic differences in maternal age at birth, breastfeeding habits, and day-care centre attendance
Migration does not enlarge inequalities in health between rich and poor neighbourhoods in The Netherlands
P1-450 Improvements in social cohesion
Introduction Much research exists on the relationship between environmental factors and physical activity (PA). However, few studies have investigated the role of social cohesion in neighbourhoods. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which social cohesion and changes over time in the levels of social cohesion were associated with PA. Methods We used data from the survey WoonOnderzoek Nederland 2006 and 2009, using two samples of 57 …
Health inequalities in the Netherlands
The cross-sectional design hinders the making of definite etiological inferences. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that Type D personality does not explain the socioeconomic health inequalities, but is a risk factor in addition to low SES. Prevention of adverse health outcomes in low SES populations may have more effect when it takes into account that persons with a low SES in combination with a Type D personality are at highest risk
The Relationship Between Health, Education, and Health Literacy
Health literacy has been put forward as a potential mechanism explaining the well-documented relationship between education and health. However, little empirical research has been undertaken to explore this hypothesis. The present study aims to study whether health literacy could be a pathway by which level of education affects health status. Health literacy was measured by the Health Activities and Literacy Scale, using data from a subsample of …
Community social capital and suicide mortality in the Netherlands
This study contributed some evidence to assume a modest effect of community social capital on suicide mortality rates. This effect may be restricted to specific population groups such as younger unmarried men
Health literacy of Dutch adults
Perceived difficulties with health information vary between competences and domains of health. Health literacy competences are associated with indicators of socio-economic position and with the domain in which health information is provided
Why residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to be heavy drinkers
BACKGROUND: Earlier research has shown that residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods drink less alcohol than people in other areas. We aimed to assess the role of individual and neighbourhood characteristics in a cross-sectional, nationwide, multilevel study. METHODS: Individual data of 30,117 Dutch adults, living in 1722 neighbourhoods across the Netherlands, were obtained from the 2004 to 2009 national health survey (POLS). Chronic heavy alco…
Health effects of employment
The association between adolescents’ health and disparities in school career
Adolescents' secondary school career is negatively affected by the presence of acute psychosocial health problems, but not by the presence of physical health problems. This underlines the importance of adequately addressing mental health problems in adolescence
Social safety, self-rated general health and physical activity
The relationship between physical activity and the living environment
Are area-based initiatives able to improve area safety in deprived areas? A quasi-experimental evaluation of the Dutch District Approach
Results suggest that the District Approach has been unable to improve perceptions of area safety and disorder in deprived areas, but that it did result in declining victimization rates
Medicine (33 works) · Environmental health (27 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (26 works) · Demography (19 works) · Gerontology (17 works) · Population (16 works) · Psychology (16 works) · Public health (16 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Socioeconomic status (12 works)