Exploring Time-Space Constraints and Health Status In Two Neighbourhoods in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

<p>The population health approach is the main organizing framework for this thesis as it examines health from a holistic lens recognizing the importance physical, social, economic and environmental influences. Both time-geography and health-geography approaches have been utilized in the research to gain a better understanding of how time, space, and health are interconnected for neighbourhood perceptions and health status. This qualitative parallel case study examines behaviour at the neighbourhood level in an attempt to understand how individuals approach everyday life circumstances and perform activities in their own physical environment while experiencing spatial and temporal constraints and opportunities. This study serves to create an understanding of time, space and health at the local level by examining two local communities within Hamilton, Ontario. The industrial neighbourhood (n=20), and the mountain neighbourhood (n=20) were selected as study areas due to their contrasting physical, social, economic, and environmental characteristics. Results indicate differences in self-rated health status, time-use patterns, and uses of space in the two communities. The mountain neighbourhood reported higher levels of self-reported health, complex schedules, and greater spatial mobility within and outside of the local environment. The industrial neighbourhood reported lower self-rated health, were also highly mobile within and outside their local environment and maintained complex time-use patterns. Results from this study add to the growing body of literature on time, space, and health, but also offer methodological contributions in the way of linking time and health-geography methodology within a qualitative study. Findings may also be used to inform policy and lead to a better understanding of temporal-spatial dimensions of health.</p>