What it means
The conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, and age—including housing, education, income, and neighborhood environment—that shape health outcomes, exposure to violence, and recovery from harm.
ICM field application · illustrative
See how this idea helps with a decision
Here is an example to work through. The linked source explains the idea or guest account. The next move is ICM guidance.
- Where it shows up
- A violence plan lists housing, income, and schools but assigns no partner or action to those conditions.
- A useful move
- Choose a condition residents identify as urgent, specify which institution can change access or quality, and measure whether the intended people experience that change.
- What this does not prove
- An area-level disadvantage measure cannot explain one person's behavior or label a neighborhood dangerous.
Follow the question
From this idea to a local decision
Use the part you need next. A guest’s account, research finding, local pattern, and implementation plan answer different questions.