The influence of social connectedness on health

Social connectedness has been associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in a range of studies over recent decades. In response, agencies involved in health promotion at local government and State level have prioritised improving neighbourhood connectedness. This study will develop data-driven computational network models to characterise connectedness between households in selected geographical areas of metropolitan Melbourne, with contrasting demographic, socio-economic, cultural and spatial characteristics. Using these frameworks, this project is exploring the potential contribution of network-based processes involving transmission of health beliefs, behaviours and infections to observed associations between neighbourhoods, networks and health.