If We Build It, We Will Come: A Model for Community-Led Change to Transform Neighborhood Conditions to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living

Gavin, Vedette; Seeholzer, Eileen; León, Janeen B.; Chappelle, Sandra Byrd; Sehgal, Ashwini R.

doi:10.2105/ajph.2015.302599

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…However, these data are often gathered through structured methods that preclude deeper participant engagement. By using a process that was derived from Photovoice methodologies, this pilot study was able to collect objective and perceived information about community members’ experiences with the corner store intervention, and respond to calls among public health experts for better community engagement in identifying and prioritizing neighborhood environment issues ( 32 , 33 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Citizen Science for Healthier Food Environments: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Corner Stores in Camden, New Jersey

Chrisinger

Ramos

Shaykis

et al. 2018

Front. Public Health

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Over the last 6 years, a coordinated “healthy corner store” network has helped an increasing number of local storeowners stock healthy, affordable foods in Camden, New Jersey, a city with high rates of poverty and unemployment, and where most residents have little or no access to large food retailers. The initiative’s funders and stakeholders wanted to directly engage Camden residents in evaluating this effort to increase healthy food access. In a departure from traditional survey- or focus group-based evaluations, we used an evidence-based community-engaged citizen science research model (called Our Voice) that has been deployed in a variety of neighborhood settings to assess how different features of the built environment both affect community health and wellbeing, and empower participants to create change. Employing the Our Voice model, participants documented neighborhood features in and around Camden corner stores through geo-located photos and audio narratives. Eight adult participants who lived and/or worked in a predefined neighborhood of Camden were recruited by convenience sample and visited two corner stores participating in the healthy corner store initiative (one highly-engaged in the initiative and the other less-engaged), as well as an optional third corner store of their choosing. Facilitators then helped participants use their collected data (in total, 134 images and 96 audio recordings) to identify and prioritize issues as a group, and brainstorm and advocate for potential solutions. Three priority themes were selected by participants from the full theme list (n = 9) based on perceived importance and feasibility: healthy product selection and display, store environment, and store outdoor appearance and cleanliness. Participants devised and presented a set of action steps to community leaders, and stakeholders have begun to incorporate these ideas into plans for the future of the healthy corner store network. Key elements of healthy corner stores were identified as positive, and other priorities, such as improvements to safety, exterior facades, and physical accessibility, may find common ground with other community development initiatives in Camden. Ultimately, this pilot study demonstrated the potential of citizen science to provide a systematic and data-driven process for public health stakeholders to authentically engage community residents in program evaluation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Citizen Science for Healthier Food Environments: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Corner Stores in Camden, New Jersey

Chrisinger

Ramos

Shaykis

et al. 2018

Front. Public Health

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“…Understanding the challenges and lack of engagement of urban communities in conjunction with the cultural mistrust is a critical but often overlooked aspect of research and intervention design. Research shows that when residents take an active role in improving neighborhood conditions, a positive effect on health results [ 49 ]. However, positioning health education as a permanent function requires the infrastructure for reliable and culturally congruent programming [ 50 ] that accounts for community input, non-traditional power centers, faith-based leaders and engagement of traditionally underrepresented segments of the community.…”

Section: Understanding Cultural Values and Implications Of Plannedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Engaged Leadership to Advance Health Equity and Build Healthier Communities

et al. 2015

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Health is a human right. Equity in health implies that ideally everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential and, more pragmatically, that no one should be disadvantaged from achieving this potential. Addressing the multi-faceted health needs of ethnically and culturally diverse individuals in the United States is a complex issue that requires inventive strategies to reduce risk factors and buttress protective factors to promote greater well-being among individuals, families, and communities. With growing diversity concerning various ethnicities and nationalities; and with significant changes in the constellation of multiple of risk factors that can influence health outcomes, it is imperative that we delineate strategic efforts that encourage better access to primary care, focused community-based programs, multi-disciplinary clinical and translational research methodologies, and health policy advocacy initiatives that may improve individuals’ longevity and quality of life.

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“…In some promising studies, CEBEC initiatives have led to meaningful community environmental and policy changes (eg, sidewalk repair programs, addition of shade trees to encourage walking, installation of pedestrian signals), including in rural areas. 37,[43][44][45][46][47][48] CEBEC initiatives allow residents to engage in community assessment, advocacy, and partnership development, thus taking more ownership over community change efforts. 43 This comprehensive approach also helps to foster the developmentof more relevant, feasible, and sustainable interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Civic Engagement Approach to Encourage Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Towns: The HEART Club Pilot Project

et al. 2018

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If We Build It, We Will Come: A Model for Community-Led Change to Transform Neighborhood Conditions to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living

Cited by 10 publications

References 2 publications

Leveraging Citizen Science for Healthier Food Environments: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Corner Stores in Camden, New Jersey

Leveraging Citizen Science for Healthier Food Environments: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Corner Stores in Camden, New Jersey

Community Engaged Leadership to Advance Health Equity and Build Healthier Communities

A Civic Engagement Approach to Encourage Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Towns: The HEART Club Pilot Project

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