Geospatial Analysis of Neighborhood Environmental Stress in Relation to Biological Markers of Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women

This study examines how the neighborhood environment — including factors like poverty, crime, noise, and pollution — affects the heart health and behaviors of women living in Washington, D.C. It focuses specifically on White and Black women, as Black women in the U.S. face disproportionately higher rates of cardiovascular disease. Researchers want to understand whether neighborhood stress contributes to this disparity through biological and behavioral pathways. Environmental stress is not just psychological — it can alter hormones, inflammation, blood pressure, and metabolism in ways that raise heart disease risk. By combining detailed neighborhood data (using geospatial mapping) with blood and behavioral measurements, this study aims to show exactly how the places where we live can affect our physical health. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a woman who self-identifies as White (or of European descent) or Black (African American, or of African descent) - You are between 19 and 45 years of age - You do not have any chronic health conditions (cardiovascular, autoimmune, or endocrinological) - You do not have an active infection - You live in Washington, D.C. - You have access to a smartphone and speak English **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are pregnant or breastfeeding - You are physically unable to exercise - Your weight has changed by more than 20% in the past 3 months - Your BMI is 35 or higher - You have high or low blood pressure requiring medication - You have diabetes, thyroid disease, or severe mental illness requiring hospitalization - You currently smoke - You have food allergies or restrictions that prevent eating a controlled diet **Talk to your doctor** about your current health status, medications, and whether you are free of chronic conditions that would affect this study.