Author Description

Over the last two and a half decades, epidemiologic studies have responded to the growing recognition that neighborhood, workplace, municipal, and other key contexts are critical determinants of individual health and well-being. To examine research questions about neighborhoods and health, primary data collection enables scientists to design the most rigorous studies. Primary data collection comes with its own set of challenges. This case describes three design components that we encountered while implementing the population-based Neighbourhood Effects on Health and Well-Being Study: collecting a representative population-based sample, challenges in collecting valid neighborhood level data, and measurement of social capital.