Neighborhood Ecology and Drug Dependence Mortality: An Analysis of New York City Census Tracts

Drug dependence mortality appears to be highly concentrated in certain disadvantaged populations and in certain disadvantaged areas. Using a relatively large sample of census tract data for New York City, 1991-1995 (N = 2,037), the present study examines the structural covariates of drug dependence mortality rates. Spatially lagged negative binomial regression analyses indicated considerable support for previous findings regarding the importance of poverty as a predictor of drug mortality. Furthermore, two variables especially relevant for the social disorganization and deviant opportunity perspectives in criminology exhibited significant independent effects: the neighborhood homeownership rate and the prevalence of boarded-up housing. The results support various policy initiatives concerned with the relationship between neighborhood environment and public health.