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<p>Child abuse and neglect (CAN) represent a significant global public health challenge influenced by socioeconomic disadvantages and the built environment. While existing research has examined the social determinants of CAN, fewer studies have examined how environmental factors interact with social vulnerabilities to affect risk levels. This study aims to fill that gap by utilizing an environmental justice framework and Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) to categorize neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, based on social, environmental, and health-related characteristics. We examined child physical abuse (CPA) and child neglect (CN) from 2020 to 2023 at the census block group level. Sixteen georeferenced indicators of the social, physical, and natural environment were used to identify clusters of neighborhoods with similar socio-environmental profiles. Negative binomial regression was used to predict CPA and CN rates within clusters. Seven clusters describe socio-environmental neighborhood profiles in Los Angeles. The most disadvantaged cluster was defined by high poverty rates, limited green space equity, and poor mental health, with CPA and CN rates more than double those of the most advantaged cluster. Risk levels were significantly higher in areas with intersecting social and environmental challenges. These findings highlight that structural inequities, including restricted access to green infrastructure, are associated with CAN risk. Our results indicate that neighborhoods with limited park access, low tree equity, and other environmental burdens are the same areas where CPA and CN rates are most concentrated. This pattern suggests that efforts to improve environmental conditions may be most relevant when prioritizing resource allocation in comprehensive, place-based approaches to supporting children and families.</p>

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Beyond Social Disadvantage: Advancing an Environmental Justice Framework to Address Child Maltreatment Risk

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月9日

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  • Gia Barboza-Salerno,
  • Taylor Harrington,
  • Balaji Ramesh,
  • Charis Stanek,
  • Sharefa Duhaney

摘要

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) represent a significant global public health challenge influenced by socioeconomic disadvantages and the built environment. While existing research has examined the social determinants of CAN, fewer studies have examined how environmental factors interact with social vulnerabilities to affect risk levels. This study aims to fill that gap by utilizing an environmental justice framework and Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) to categorize neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, based on social, environmental, and health-related characteristics. We examined child physical abuse (CPA) and child neglect (CN) from 2020 to 2023 at the census block group level. Sixteen georeferenced indicators of the social, physical, and natural environment were used to identify clusters of neighborhoods with similar socio-environmental profiles. Negative binomial regression was used to predict CPA and CN rates within clusters. Seven clusters describe socio-environmental neighborhood profiles in Los Angeles. The most disadvantaged cluster was defined by high poverty rates, limited green space equity, and poor mental health, with CPA and CN rates more than double those of the most advantaged cluster. Risk levels were significantly higher in areas with intersecting social and environmental challenges. These findings highlight that structural inequities, including restricted access to green infrastructure, are associated with CAN risk. Our results indicate that neighborhoods with limited park access, low tree equity, and other environmental burdens are the same areas where CPA and CN rates are most concentrated. This pattern suggests that efforts to improve environmental conditions may be most relevant when prioritizing resource allocation in comprehensive, place-based approaches to supporting children and families.