Health, well-being and social relations in a changing neighbourhood: protocol for a prospective, multimethods study of the consequences of large structural changes in an ethnic diverse social housing area in Denmark

Abstract

IntroductionResidential areas constitute an important arena for health, well-being and social relations. Structural interventions such as demolition and area renewal have been used to reduce inequality in health and well-being in disadvantaged areas. However, the effects of larger structural interventions are inconclusive. In a longitudinal perspective, this study aims to analyse how large-scale structural changes in an ethnic diverse social housing area are associated with the residents’ health, well-being and social relations.Methods and analysisIn this multimethods study, we examine this aim among middle-aged and older residents in a multiethnic social housing area in a Danish municipality by the inclusion of comprehensive survey (in 2018, 2019 and 2020), register (yearly 2015–2025) and qualitative (2018–2020) data. Municipal Health Profile survey data from 2017 and 2021 will be used for comparison. The area will undergo large structural changes in the built environment during 2018–2021. A ‘natural experiment’ (n=6000) compares differences in health and social outcomes across the study period between the study area and a similar neighbouring area not undergoing structural changes. Through user engagement in the design of the study, throughout the different phases of the study and in the two co-created interventions embedded in the study design, a focus on empowerment and recognition of the resources and perspectives of residents are encouraged.Ethics and disseminationThe study is registered in the University of Copenhagen’s record of biobanks and research projects containing personal data and will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Residential and municipal representatives and local non-governmental organisations are engaged in the design and execution of the study to ensure the usefulness, reflexive interpretation of data, and relevance of interventions. Results will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, presented at conferences and as short reports through the use of both written and visual outputs.

Social Relations, Community Engagement and Potentials: A Qualitative Study Exploring Resident Engagement in a Community-Based Health Promotion Intervention in a Deprived Social Housing Area

“…This study was performed within a deprived social housing area in a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark between February and July 2019. This social housing area was constructed in 1972 and comprises a total of 915 apartments, accommodating nearly 2600 inhabitants [25]. The built environment reflects the modernist mass housing trend of the post-war decades, characterized by a high density of dwellings and uniform high-rise buildings, all planned and constructed as a single entity [27].…”

“…Consequently, this housing area appears to be physically segregated from the surrounding local area and society. Furthermore, green spaces and outdoor facilities for residents to socialize in and utilize are sparse [25]. As in other deprived social housing areas in Denmark, socioeconomic vulnerability is profound in this area, with low levels of educational achievement, high unemployment and low average household income [25].…”

“…Furthermore, green spaces and outdoor facilities for residents to socialize in and utilize are sparse [25]. As in other deprived social housing areas in Denmark, socioeconomic vulnerability is profound in this area, with low levels of educational achievement, high unemployment and low average household income [25]. In addition, there is considerable ethnic diversity in the social housing area, with approximately 50 different nationalities represented.…”

“…The research project entitled 'Health, wellbeing and social relations in a changing neighborhood' examines the effects of large-scale structural changes on health, wellbeing and social relations in a deprived social housing area in Denmark from a longitudinal perspective. A more detailed description of the overall study has been published elsewhere [25]. By the application of multiple methods and different approaches to user engagement throughout the project period, the project focuses on empowerment and recognition of the residents in the housing area [25].…”

“…A more detailed description of the overall study has been published elsewhere [25]. By the application of multiple methods and different approaches to user engagement throughout the project period, the project focuses on empowerment and recognition of the residents in the housing area [25]. In the qualitative intervention study reported here, we explore residents' perspectives on engagement in a community-based health promotion intervention focusing on the desired outcome of enhancing social relations, an intervention developed as part of the study.…”