Measuring health and human development in cities and neighborhoods in the United States

Abstract Human development is a complex process involving interactions between individuals and their socioeconomic, biological, physical environments. It has been studied using two frameworks: the “Capabilities Approach,” implemented at national scale, “Neighborhood Effects community scale. However, no existing framework conceptualizes measures human across geographic scales. Here, we unite approaches by localizing Development Index (HDI), demonstrate methodology for scalable implementation of this index comparative analysis. We analyzed patterns in United States, characterizing over 70,000 communities. found that, on average, larger cities have higher HDI (higher standard living) but exhibit greater disparities communities, that increases are associated with simultaneous reduction diverse set negative neighborhood effects. Our produces an interdisciplinary synthesis theory practice sustainable, equitable urban health development.