“This neighbourhood is killing us!” The impact of neighbourhood conditions on the health and wellbeing of people living in deprived neighbourhoods in Malta

Abstract

A number of studies emphasise that the place of residence determines the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants. Although it is well known that similar to wealth, health varies across countries, few realise that the health and wellbeing of individuals also vary across local neighbourhoods. This qualitative study explores how the health and wellbeing of families living in deprived neighbourhood conditions in Malta are being affected due to the neighbourhood conditions. Participant parents and children narrate feelings of stigma experienced because of where they live and due to the physical conditions of their neighbourhood environment. Apart from the impact on the inhabitants’ self-esteem, the dilapidated neighbourhood environment reduces the possibility of enjoying social interaction with resourceful persons. This creates feelings of inequality and social exclusion which constrain these inhabitants from involving themselves in educational and cultural activities and thus inhibiting their wellbeing and the future success of their children. Moreover living in deprived neighbourhoods also puts the respondents at risk of ill-health and obesity due to the lack of adequately maintained open spaces for physical activity.