Abstract |
There is a strong positive association between educational attainment and health outcomes, and neighborhood and housing play central roles in relation to both (Leventhal & Brooks-Gunn, 2002; Stafford & McCarthy, 2006). The present study examined health and education-related variables across neighborhoods, as defined by housing types and administrative districts, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Based on literature establishing associations between neighborhood deprivation and adverse health and educational outcomes, and on emerging scholarship of sprawling ger districts in Ulaanbaatar, the study hypothesized neighborhood residence in ger districts (characterized by gers and single family houses) would be associated with adverse health and educational outcomes due to unhealthy physical environment and poor public services. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2013, collected by UNICEF and National Statistical Office of Mongolia, was used to test the hypotheses. A series of chi-square tests of homogeneity were conducted to examine group differences in health outcomes (child mortality and antenatal care) in a sample of 4,708 women of ages 15-49 and educational outcomes (school attendance) in a sample of 3,604 young people between the ages of 6-18, across three types of housing (gers, houses, apartments) and nine administrative districts in Ulaanbaatar. Results indicate residence in ger districts is associated with higher rates of child mortality and lower rates of school attendance compared to residence in apartment districts. It was concluded residence in ger districts may be associated with heightened risk of poor health and educational outcomes. Policy implications include improvements in physical environment and public services in ger districts. |