Investments in Childhood Community Resources and Subsequent Adult Health Outcomes

Is there an association between childhood exposure to public spending on community resources (public primary and secondary education, libraries, parks and recreation, and community development and housing) and subsequent adult health?This cohort study of 2214 adults found that greater exposure to childhood community resource spending was associated with fewer reports of fair or poor overall health and cardiovascular disease diagnoses as an adult. No association was found with anxiety or depression diagnoses.These findings suggest that policymakers and government officials should consider the possible long-term beneficial health impacts of community resource investments.

Corresponding Author: Jaime La Charite, MD, PhD, MPH, University of California, Los Angeles, 1100 Glendon Ave, Ste 900, Office #905, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (jlacharite@mednet.ucla.edu).

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