The Big Picture

This study explores the relationships between environmental and social factors and violent crime rates in counties across Texas, California, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. The research identifies key ecological and social predictors of violent crime, emphasizing the intertwined nature of these variables and their impact on community safety and public health.
What We Did

The study utilized data from the County Health Rankings Dataset and the EPA’s EJScreen Environmental Justice Tool to assess ecological factors such as wastewater discharge and underground storage tanks, and social factors including poverty levels, low birthweight percentages, and housing burden. Statistical analyses, including OLS regression and exploratory factor analysis, were used to determine the predictors of violent crime.

1

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks:

Identified as a significant ecological predictor of violent crime in both ecological and full models, suggesting their presence is linked to increased crime rates in communities.

2

Low Birthweight and Housing Burden:

Social predictors that were found to significantly correlate with higher violent crime rates, indicating broader socio-economic stress in affected communities.

3

Environmental and Social Interactions:

The study found that ecological issues such as pollution indirectly impact violent crime through pathways involving community stress and individual wellness.

4

Path Analysis Results:

Environmental factors were strongly related to individual wellness, neighborhood stress, and violent crime, highlighting the need for holistic policy interventions that address both ecological and social determinants of crime.

To effectively reduce violent crime rates, policymakers should consider interventions that improve both environmental conditions and social factors in vulnerable communities. This could include remediating environmental hazards like leaking storage tanks and addressing socio-economic stressors such as poverty and inadequate housing.

The findings underscore the complex and interwoven relationship between ecological and social factors in predicting violent crime. By addressing these factors collectively, interventions can be more effective in enhancing community safety and overall well-being. Further research is recommended to explore these dynamics in greater depth, especially through time-series analyses to understand causal mechanisms.

About the Study

This research was published in Crime & Delinquency in 2021. The full APA citation is: Henderson, H., Smith, S., Ferguson, C.J. et al. Ecological and social correlates of violent crime. SN Soc Sci 3, 195 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00786-5