ASPO Abstracts
Graphic-Style Stories and Participatory Mapping to Encourage Community Interest in the Impact of Local Climate on Health and Cancer
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose: There is a gap in understanding of how local microclimates impact the health of people in diverse, urban communities. Indeed, disparities in cancer, stroke, heart disease, and asthma are often rooted in poor local environments. In Norwood, Ohio, urban expansion has led to more impervious surfaces and reduced vegetation over the last 3 decades. Their schools are close to highly traveled roads/Interstates and have black topped lots that absorb and hold heat. Traffic-related particulate air pollution absorbs heat, contributing to creation of urban heat islands. Therefore, one study goal was to empower residents to study and understand the impact of local heat islands on the health and encourage action to alleviate their impact. Methods: We Engage 4 Health (WE4H), a community-academic partnership, initiated a participatory citizen science study with Norwood groups. Important to the study was the making/recording of local community observations using the Eyewitness Community Survey (ECS). Volunteers also captured temperature/particulate matter data using mobile Airbeam sensors and invited their community to complete a Health Survey. To prepare volunteers, WE4H offered education leveraging engaging graphic-style stories. Prior to teens/adults using the ECS, they viewed 10m story videos entitled: 1) Exploring the Environment (on citizen science), 2) Environment is Everywhere (on how local environment impacts health) and 3) Becoming an Expert Eyewitness (ECS instructions). Prior to capturing a smaller subset of ECS data, K-6th graders read these same stories aloud together as part of their school's summer Climate Camp. Results: Both adults and children liked the stories, were more aware of their surroundings, and better understood its impact on health. Knowledge scores improved post-ECS. A documentary and Story Map was created to broadly disseminate findings. A tree planting has since occurred near a study hotspot. The effort has spurred interest in cancer education given observations that many younger residents have breast cancer diagnoses. Residents want to know why. Conclusion: Engaging story-based education and active participation in local citizen science efforts is valuable in spurring diverse community interest in health and environmental topics.
Keywords: microclimates, citizen science, health disparities, cancer disparities