The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61119

Jill S. Litt, PhD¹, John Brett, PhD², Julie A. Marshall, PhD¹, Michael Buchenau, MLA³, and Lisa Bardwell, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. Ninth Avenue, C-245, Denver, CO 80262, 303-315-7595, jill.litt@uchsc.edu, (2) Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado at Denver, Campus Box 103, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217, (3) 3377 Blake Street, Denver Urban Gardens, Suite 113, Denver, CO 80205, (4) FrontRange Earth Force, 2120 W. 33rd Street, Denver, CO 80211

Background: Environment and lifestyle-related illnesses account for the majority of premature deaths in the United States, affected by factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, diet, alcohol, and chemical exposures. Physical inactivity and poor diet alone contribute to approximately 300,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Objective: We are exploring how the social and physical environment can shape physical activity and dietary patterns. We are examining Denver’s network of 80 community gardens and garden-parks as a “health promotive” feature of the urban environment. Methods: We developed a neighborhood audit tool and carried out key informant interviews with garden leaders, community gardeners, and relevant neighborhood organizations. Visual neighborhood assessments and mapping were key tools in our preliminary analysis. Results: We conducted our pilot research in a neighborhood that is home to 10 gardens and our neighborhood partners. Community gardens may represent an untapped opportunity to enhance diet and physical activity for urban dwellers. An audit tool combined with semi-structured interviews can identify key features of gardens that can be manipulated to enhance physical activity opportunities and healthful eating. Use of the auditing tool in a participatory research framework can facilitate community involvement in garden design changes. Conclusion: Community gardens provide a point of entry into diverse urban populations and a unique mechanism to promote public health through increased physical activity and healthful eating. Using neighborhood-level visual assessments and gardener-level interview techniques, we began to uncover the potential for open space projects, such as community gardens, and the importance of community design in promoting health and community well-being.

Learning Objectives:

• To learn about the use of qualitative and quantitative methods in order to understand contemporary environmental health issues
• To recognize urban community gardens as community assets and potentially 'health promotive'.

Keywords: Community Assets, Urban Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.