Citizen Science as a Platform for Wellness Research

TL;DR

This talk discusses the use of citizen science and community engagement to empower residents to improve their health and built environments.

Transcript

so I'm really delighted to be here it's been really interesting for me to hear Candice and Michael and as they were talking I was trying to think about how each of their talks actually is applicable to some of what we're doing but what I'm going to be presenting is completely different so hopefully it's not the high-tech kind of platforms that you'... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Lifestyle behaviors are major drivers of chronic diseases, and addressing social and environmental determinants is crucial for improving health outcomes.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Citizen science platforms like the one described can empower communities to identify and advocate for changes that improve their health and well-being.
• 😋 Successful applications of the platform have led to positive changes in various areas, such as transportation, food access, and recreational offerings.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main goal of the citizen science platform?

The main goal is to empower residents to improve their neighborhoods and environments to promote better health and well-being.

Q: How does the healthy neighborhood discovery tool work?

The tool is a mobile app that residents can use to take a walk in their neighborhood and capture barriers to walking and food access. They can take photos and narrate their experiences, which helps them identify important issues to address.

Q: How have under-resourced communities benefited from this platform?

Under-resourced communities have been able to prioritize feasible and low-cost solutions, build partnerships, and advocate for changes. This has led to improvements in streetscapes, sidewalks, access to public transit, and the creation of community gardens.

Q: Can this platform be used for other purposes besides health promotion?

Yes, the speaker mentions that the platform can be applied to various issues such as workplace productivity, disaster preparedness, and recreational offerings.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker describes a citizen science community engagement platform that focuses on residents learning about their health to stay out of the hospital.

• The platform includes a simple tool called the healthy neighborhood discovery tool, which helps residents identify barriers to walking and accessing healthy food in their neighborhoods.

• The speaker highlights successful applications of the platform in under-resourced communities, including advocating for changes in transportation, sidewalks, and food access.