Tamara Dubowitz
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 198790 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Tamara Dubowitz |
| PRENOMES | Tamara |
| SOBRENOME | Dubowitz |
| ASSINATURA | DUBOWITZ T |
| AFILIAÇÕES | RAND Corporation |
| ORCID | 0009-0004-0023-0188 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 46 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 109 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 46 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2007 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 5 |
Associations between historical redlining and BMI
It is unknown whether living in neighborhoods historically rated as "high-risk" mortgage by lenders (i.e., "redlining") defined by maps of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) neighborhood ratings may associate with obesity through neighborhood factors and health behaviors, or how such associations might differ by race and gender. We used data from the 1985-86 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study to test whether ret…
Beyond individual correlates
While individual correlates of loneliness are well established, less is known about whether neighborhood characteristics modify these associations. Guided by the Ecological Theory of Aging, this study examined whether subjective and objective neighborhood factors moderated cross-sectional associations between key individual characteristics (age, gender, physical function) and loneliness among adults in two predominantly Black Pittsburgh, PA neigh…
From Childhood to Adulthood
Neighborhood environments may significantly impact psychological well‐being, particularly in Black American communities where historical inequities and resilience factors intersect. This mixed‐methods study investigates retrospective perceptions of childhood and current neighborhood social environments and their associations with loneliness and psychological distress in adulthood. Data were drawn from the Think PHRESH study, an ancillary project …
Perceptions About Housing and Neighborhood Characteristics Among Aging Adult Black Americans in Two Predominantly Black, Low-Income Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh
Do Publicly Funded Neighborhood Investments Impact Individual-Level Health-Related Outcomes? A Longitudinal Study of Two Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA from 2011 to 2018
Research examining the relationship between a neighborhood's built-environment and resident health or health-related outcomes has largely either focused on static characteristics using a cross-sectional research design or focuses on the neighborhood in its entirety. Such an approach makes it difficult to understand how specific dynamic neighborhood characteristics are associated with individual well-being. In this analysis, we use longitudinal da…
Examining the Cross-sectional Association Between Neighborhood Conditions, Discrimination, and Telomere Length in a Predominantly African American Sample
Exploring differences in perceptions of gentrification, neighborhood satisfaction, social cohesion, and health among residents of two predominantly African American Pittsburgh neighborhoods (n = 60)
These findings suggest that while gentrification can bring much needed improvements to neighborhoods, it can also bring other disruptive changes that affect the health and wellbeing of existing residents
Design of the Think PHRESH longitudinal cohort study
Understanding how structural racism has influenced the lived experience of Black Americans, including dynamic changes in neighborhood conditions over time, is critical to inform multi-level intervention and policy efforts to reduce pervasive racial and socioeconomic disparities in ADRD
Police Bias and Low Relatability and Diet Quality
How police bias and low relatability may contribute to poor dietary quality is poorly understood. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 2021 from a cohort of n = 724 adults living in predominantly Black communities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; these adults were mostly Black (90.6%), low-income (median household income $17,500), and women (79.3%). We estimated direct and indirect paths between police mistrust and dietary quality (me…
Changes in psychosocial wellbeing over a five-year period in two predominantly Black Pittsburgh neighbourhoods
Gentrification often leads to changes within urban neighbourhoods. While redevelopment and investment may improve the built environment in gentrifying neighbourhoods, there may be disruptive impacts that affect health and wellbeing for existing residents. A growing body of literature explores the impact of gentrification on the psychosocial wellbeing of residents. This study sought to understand gentrification’s effects on three aspects of psycho…
Do social isolation and neighborhood walkability influence relationships between Covid-19 experiences and wellbeing in predominantly Black urban areas
Multi-dimensional Profiles of Risk and Their Association with Obesity-Severity in Low-Income Black Women
Neighborhood Food Environment Associated with Cardiometabolic Health among Predominately Low-income, Urban, Black Women
These results suggest that both perceived accessibility and affordability of healthy foods are associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in this urban, low-income predominantly Black population. Additionally, discount grocery stores may be particularly valuable by providing access and affordability of healthy foods in this population
Violent crime, police presence and poor sleep in two low-income urban predominantly Black American neighbourhoods
Objective To examine violent crime in relation to sleep and explore pathways, including psychological distress, safety perceptions and perceived police presence, that may account for associations. Methods In 2018, 515 predominantly Black American (94%) adults (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) provided survey data: actigraphy-assessed sleep duration and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO). We estimated pathways from violent crime (2016–2018) to sle…
Food Insecurity in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American Cohort Following the Covid-19 Pandemic
Objectives. To examine the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity among a predominantly African American cohort residing in low-income racially isolated neighborhoods. Methods. Residents of 2 low-income African American food desert neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were surveyed from March 23 to May 22, 2020, drawing on a longitudinal cohort (n = 605) previously followed from 2011 to 2018. We examined longitudinal trends in food…
Factors related to health civic engagement
Health civic engagement, including voting and volunteering to ultimately guide government decisions about health issues, may help improve conditions that influence health and well-being for all. Focusing on individuals' sense of community and highlighting investments in community health may concurrently be associated with increased health civic engagement and improved community and population health
Changes in perceptions of neighborhood environment and Cardiometabolic outcomes in two predominantly African American neighborhoods
These findings suggest that perceived neighborhood characteristics may impact cardiometabolic outcomes (BMI, SBP), but through differing pathways. This highlights the complexity of the associations between neighborhood characteristics and underscores the need for more longitudinal studies to confirm the associations with cardiometabolic health in African American populations
An audit tool for longitudinal assessment of the health-related characteristics of urban neighborhoods
In this paper, we have described implementation methods, reliability results and lessons learned to inform future studies of change. We found the use of consistent methods allowed us to conduct reliable, replicable longitudinal assessments of the environment. Items that did not exhibit stability are less useful for detecting real change over time. Overall, the PHRESH direct observation tool is an effective and practical instrument to detect chang…
Do investments in low-income neighborhoods produce objective change in health-related neighborhood conditions
Broken Windows, Broken Zzs
Improved Street Walkability, Incivilities, and Esthetics Are Associated with Greater Park Use in Two Low-Income Neighborhoods
The power of social networks and social support in promotion of physical activity and body mass index among African American adults
Social support and social networks can elucidate important structural and functional aspects of social relationships that are associated with health-promoting behaviors, including Physical Activity (PA) and weight. A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between social support, social networks, PA and obesity specifically among African Americans; however, the evidence is mixed and many studies focus exclusively on African A…
Weight resilience and fruit and vegetable intake among African-American women in an obesogenic environment
Objective To investigate relationships between weight resilience (maintaining a normal weight in a food desert environment) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, attitudes and barriers. Design Cross-sectional, in-person surveys collected May–December 2011, including self-reported data on F&V-related psychosocial factors, attitudes and barriers. Two 24 h dietary recalls were completed; weight and height were measured. Multivariable regression mode…
The association between discrimination and PTSD in African Americans
Background: Research has demonstrated the adverse impact that discrimination has on physical and mental health. However, few studies have examined the association between discrimination and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that African Americans experience higher rates of PTSD and are more likely to develop PTSD following trauma exposure than Whites, and discrimination may be one reason for this disparity. Purpo…
Park Use in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Neighbourhood socioeconomic status and biological ‘wear and tear’ in a nationally representative sample of US adults
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES) is independently associated with disparities in biological 'wear and tear' measured by allostatic load in a nationally representative sample of US adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Population-based US survey, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), merged with US census data describing respondents' neighbourhoods. PARTICIPANTS: 13…
Does opening a supermarket in a food desert change the food environment
The Influence of Social Context on Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
As part of the Harvard Cancer Prevention Program Project, we used a social contextual model of health behavior change to test an intervention targeting multiple risk-related behaviors in working-class, multiethnic populations. We examined the relationships between the social contextual factors in our conceptual model and changes in fruit and vegetable consumption from baseline to completion of intervention in health centers and small business stu…
Regional differences in walking frequency and BMI
The Power of Place
African American neighborhoods have been historically targeted for urban renewal projects, which impact social composition and resident's health. The Hill District in Pittsburgh, PA is such a neighborhood. This research sought to investigate the extent to which social networks and perceived neighborhood social cohesion and safety were associated with psychological distress among residents in an African American neighborhood undergoing urban renew…
The association between discrimination and PTSD in African Americans
Background: Research has demonstrated the adverse impact that discrimination has on physical and mental health. However, few studies have examined the association between discrimination and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that African Americans experience higher rates of PTSD and are more likely to develop PTSD following trauma exposure than Whites, and discrimination may be one reason for this disparity. Purpo…
Park Use in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Are Food Deserts Also Play Deserts
Store Impulse Marketing Strategies and Body Mass Index
Objectives. We quantified the use of placement and price reduction marketing strategies in different food retail outlets to identify associations between these strategies and the risk of overweight and obesity among customers. Methods. In 2011 we collected dietary and health information from 1372 residents in “food deserts” in Pittsburgh, PA. We audited neighborhood restaurants and food stores (n = 40) including 16 distant food venues at which re…
Food Insecurity in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American Cohort Following the Covid-19 Pandemic
Objectives. To examine the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity among a predominantly African American cohort residing in low-income racially isolated neighborhoods. Methods. Residents of 2 low-income African American food desert neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were surveyed from March 23 to May 22, 2020, drawing on a longitudinal cohort (n = 605) previously followed from 2011 to 2018. We examined longitudinal trends in food…
Nativity and Duration of Time in the United States
Limited research has examined the association of diet with immigrant status, adjusting for multiple socio-demographic and contextual influences. Among 662 WIC-eligible postpartum women, those who were foreign-born and had lived in the United States for 4 or fewer years consumed 2.5 more fruit and vegetable servings daily than native-born women; this difference diminished with longer US residence. White women consumed 1 serving less than Latinas, …
Improved Street Walkability, Incivilities, and Esthetics Are Associated with Greater Park Use in Two Low-Income Neighborhoods
Changes in psychosocial wellbeing over a five-year period in two predominantly Black Pittsburgh neighbourhoods
Gentrification often leads to changes within urban neighbourhoods. While redevelopment and investment may improve the built environment in gentrifying neighbourhoods, there may be disruptive impacts that affect health and wellbeing for existing residents. A growing body of literature explores the impact of gentrification on the psychosocial wellbeing of residents. This study sought to understand gentrification’s effects on three aspects of psycho…
Do investments in low-income neighborhoods produce objective change in health-related neighborhood conditions
Violent crime, police presence and poor sleep in two low-income urban predominantly Black American neighbourhoods
Objective To examine violent crime in relation to sleep and explore pathways, including psychological distress, safety perceptions and perceived police presence, that may account for associations. Methods In 2018, 515 predominantly Black American (94%) adults (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) provided survey data: actigraphy-assessed sleep duration and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO). We estimated pathways from violent crime (2016–2018) to sle…
Broken Windows, Broken Zzs
Neighborhood context and ethnicity differences in body mass index
Lifecourse, immigrant status and acculturation in food purchasing and preparation among low-income mothers
Objectives This study investigates how lifecourse, immigrant status and acculturation, and neighbourhood of residence influence food purchasing and preparation among low-income women with children, living in the USA. This research sought to understand physical and economic access to food, from both ‘individual’ and ‘community’ perspectives. Design This study used qualitative methodology (focus groups) to examine the mechanisms and pathways of foo…
The Influence of Social Context on Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
As part of the Harvard Cancer Prevention Program Project, we used a social contextual model of health behavior change to test an intervention targeting multiple risk-related behaviors in working-class, multiethnic populations. We examined the relationships between the social contextual factors in our conceptual model and changes in fruit and vegetable consumption from baseline to completion of intervention in health centers and small business stu…
Nativity and Duration of Time in the United States
Limited research has examined the association of diet with immigrant status, adjusting for multiple socio-demographic and contextual influences. Among 662 WIC-eligible postpartum women, those who were foreign-born and had lived in the United States for 4 or fewer years consumed 2.5 more fruit and vegetable servings daily than native-born women; this difference diminished with longer US residence. White women consumed 1 serving less than Latinas, …
Neighborhood socioeconomic status and fruit and vegetable intake among whites, blacks, and Mexican Americans in the United States
Individual and Neighborhood Differences in Diet Among Low-Income Foreign and U.S.-Born Women
Regional differences in walking frequency and BMI
Neighbourhood socioeconomic status and biological ‘wear and tear’ in a nationally representative sample of US adults
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES) is independently associated with disparities in biological 'wear and tear' measured by allostatic load in a nationally representative sample of US adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Population-based US survey, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), merged with US census data describing respondents' neighbourhoods. PARTICIPANTS: 13…
Racial/Ethnic Differences in US Health Behaviors
There are racial/ethnic differences in the way that individual-level determinants and NSES affect health behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms for differential responses could inform community interventions and public health campaigns that target particular groups
Using Geographic Information Systems to Match Local Health Needs With Public Health Services and Programs
Local health departments (LHDs) play an important role in ensuring essential public health services. Geographic information system (GIS) technology offers a promising means for LHDs to identify geographic gaps between areas of need and the reach of public health services. We examined how large LHDs could better inform planning and investments by using GIS-based methodologies to align community needs and health outcomes with public health programs…
Using Geographic Information Systems to Match Local Health Needs With Public Health Services and Programs
Local health departments (LHDs) play an important role in ensuring essential public health services. Geographic information system (GIS) technology offers a promising means for LHDs to identify geographic gaps between areas of need and the reach of public health services. We examined how large LHDs could better inform planning and investments by using GIS-based methodologies to align community needs and health outcomes with public health programs…
The Women's Health Initiative
Using data ( n = 60,775 women) from the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Trial (WHI CT)—a national study of postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years—we analyzed cross‐sectional associations between the availability of different types of food outlets in the 1.5 miles surrounding a woman's residence, census tract neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES), BMI, and blood pressure (BP). We simultaneously modeled NSES and food outlets using linear and l…
Distance to Store, Food Prices, and Obesity in Urban Food Deserts
Diet And Perceptions Change With Supermarket Introduction In A Food Desert, But Not Because Of Supermarket Use
Placing full-service supermarkets in food deserts--areas with limited access to healthy food--has been promoted as a way to reduce inequalities in access to healthy food, improve diet, and reduce the risk of obesity. However, previous studies provide scant evidence of such impacts. We surveyed households in two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, neighborhoods in 2011 and 2014, one of which received a new supermarket in 2013. Comparing trends in the two ne…
Healthy food access for urban food desert residents
Objective To provide a richer understanding of food access and purchasing practices among US urban food desert residents and their association with diet and BMI. Design Data on food purchasing practices, dietary intake, height and weight from the primary food shopper in randomly selected households ( n 1372) were collected. Audits of all neighbourhood food stores ( n 24) and the most-frequented stores outside the neighbourhood ( n 16) were conduc…
Store Impulse Marketing Strategies and Body Mass Index
Objectives. We quantified the use of placement and price reduction marketing strategies in different food retail outlets to identify associations between these strategies and the risk of overweight and obesity among customers. Methods. In 2011 we collected dietary and health information from 1372 residents in “food deserts” in Pittsburgh, PA. We audited neighborhood restaurants and food stores (n = 40) including 16 distant food venues at which re…
Are Food Deserts Also Play Deserts
The Power of Place
African American neighborhoods have been historically targeted for urban renewal projects, which impact social composition and resident's health. The Hill District in Pittsburgh, PA is such a neighborhood. This research sought to investigate the extent to which social networks and perceived neighborhood social cohesion and safety were associated with psychological distress among residents in an African American neighborhood undergoing urban renew…
One size doesn’t fit all
Neighborhood walkability may play a stronger role on MVPA than accessible greenspace or crime in low-income urban communities. Walkability may differentially impact residents depending on their age and sex, which suggests tailoring public health policy design and implementation according to neighborhood demographics to improve activity for all
Where do food desert residents buy most of their junk food? Supermarkets
Objective To examine where residents in an area with limited access to healthy foods (an urban food desert) purchased healthier and less healthy foods. Design Food shopping receipts were collected over a one-week period in 2013. These were analysed to describe where residents shopped for food and what types of food they bought. Setting Two low-income, predominantly African-American neighbourhoods with limited access to healthy foods in Pittsburgh…
Does opening a supermarket in a food desert change the food environment
The power of social networks and social support in promotion of physical activity and body mass index among African American adults
Social support and social networks can elucidate important structural and functional aspects of social relationships that are associated with health-promoting behaviors, including Physical Activity (PA) and weight. A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between social support, social networks, PA and obesity specifically among African Americans; however, the evidence is mixed and many studies focus exclusively on African A…
Weight resilience and fruit and vegetable intake among African-American women in an obesogenic environment
Objective To investigate relationships between weight resilience (maintaining a normal weight in a food desert environment) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, attitudes and barriers. Design Cross-sectional, in-person surveys collected May–December 2011, including self-reported data on F&V-related psychosocial factors, attitudes and barriers. Two 24 h dietary recalls were completed; weight and height were measured. Multivariable regression mode…
The association between discrimination and PTSD in African Americans
Background: Research has demonstrated the adverse impact that discrimination has on physical and mental health. However, few studies have examined the association between discrimination and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that African Americans experience higher rates of PTSD and are more likely to develop PTSD following trauma exposure than Whites, and discrimination may be one reason for this disparity. Purpo…
Park Use in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Medicine (40 obras) · Environmental health (34 obras) · Demography (27 obras) · Gerontology (24 obras) · Health disparities and outcomes (22 obras) · Sociology (21 obras) · Geography (20 obras) · Demography (18 obras) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (17 obras) · Psychology (17 obras)