What is a risk factor at the community level of the Socio-Ecological Model?

Neighborhood poverty is a significant risk factor at the community level of the Socio-Ecological Model because it reflects the broader socio-economic environment that can influence individual and family behaviors. Communities experiencing poverty often face a range of challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, which can all contribute to an increase in substance use and related issues. Additionally, poverty can lead to higher stress levels, reduced social cohesion, and increased exposure to crime, all of which are environmental stressors that can negatively impact community health and safety.

In contrast, faith-based resources, parental drug use, and inadequate supervision are often more closely associated with individual or family-level risk factors. While these factors certainly impact substance use and behaviors, they do not encapsulate the wider community dynamics involved in socio-economic issues like neighborhood poverty. Understanding neighborhood poverty as a community-level risk factor is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies that address the root causes of substance use within specific populations.