Abstract
The conditions of the neighborhood where we live have a significant influence on our health, beyond individual habits. Recent studies show that in cities like Barcelona, life expectancy can vary by up to eight months for every kilometer toward areas with lower income. This phenomenon reflects how factors such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare services, the quality of the urban environment — including pollution, noise, and green spaces — and stress levels linked to precarious living conditions shape an environment that directly impacts people’s well-being. The article argues that to understand and address health inequalities, it is not enough to focus on individual behaviors; it is essential to analyze the urban and social environment as a structural determinant of health.