Abstract

The structure of residential neighborhoods appears to have an impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). This study aims to analyze structures and perceptions among Chileans regarding residential neighborhoods and how their characteristics influence HRQoL. We employed a secondary analysis was done based on the National Quality of Life Survey. Our findings indicate that the presence of infrastructure within neighborhoods including recreational spaces, green areas, businesses, lighting and street paving, public transportation, health and sanitation services, were all associated with better scores on the mental and physical HRQoL, along with perceptions of safety, comfort, belonging, and positive neighborhood evaluations (p < 0.05). By contrast, a lack of infrastructure including recreation spaces (OR: 1.19) and negative perceptions about the neighborhood including poor security (OR: 1.19), low belonging (OR: 1.70) and discomfort (OR: 1.50) were identified as risk factors for the mental and physical health of the population. The results establishes that the absence of various infrastructures and negative perceptions about neighborhoods influence HRQoL in the Chilean population, along with the sociodemographic characteristics of each individual, combine to make it necessary to develop interventions and public policies in precarious neighborhoods which invite participation from the subgroups living within the neighborhoods themselves.