Timing and Duration of Neighbourhood Disadvantage: A Life Course Perspective on Health Behaviours

Juste Lekstyte , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB); Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics (CED-CERCA)
Johan Junkka, Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR)

Prior research has shown that growing up in a disadvantaged neighbourhood has a negative effect on health. Yet, less is known about how the timing and duration of exposure to neighbourhood disadvantage influence health behaviours in adulthood. Moreover, most existing studies rely on cross-sectional data, limiting our understanding of life-course dynamics. This study addresses this gap using Swedish population register data for individuals born in 1990. We construct residential histories from birth to age 25, identifying four sensitive periods: early childhood (0–5), early school years (6–10), adolescence (11–16), and early adulthood (17–25). Health behaviours are proxied by preventable hospitalisations, capturing conditions avoidable through healthier lifestyles or preventive care. Preliminary results indicate that exposure to disadvantaged neighbourhoods is associated with a higher likelihood of preventable hospitalisations, with longer exposure (6-10 or 11-25 years) having a more significant effect than shorter exposure (1-5 years). Experiencing disadvantage during any sensitive period, except early school years, increases the risk of preventable hospitalisations.

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 Presented in Session 18. Health and Wellbeing across the Life Course