142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

309358
Exploring the perspectives of neighborhood leaders on air quality, environmental risk, and health

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Leslie Allsopp, MSN, MPH , Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Fort Worth, TX
David Sterling, PhD , Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Fort Worth, TX
Heather Kitzman-Ulrich, PhD , Texas Prevention Institute; Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Background: Fort Worth is adopting an initiative to develop environmentally based improvements in health and quality of life. At the same time, North Central Texas is recognized as having excessive levels of ozone, a pollutant associated with elevated rates of respiratory disease. Additionally, research suggests associations between air pollution, reduced leisure physical activity, and decreased well-being. While city and regional entities encourage residents to adopt healthy behaviors and take individual actions to improve air quality, little is known about residents’ perceptions of air quality, and its impact on their lives, health and environment.

Methods: The UNTHSC School of Public Health collaborated with the Fort Worth League of Neighborhood Associations to hold air quality focus groups. Three geographic clusters of neighborhood associations were identified to include a range of emission sources and diverse demographics.  One focus group was formed within each area.  Questions were asked regarding perceptions of air quality, health and the environment.  Content analysis is being conducted based on three environmental risk perception themes:  place and locality, trust and communication, power and equity.

Results: Participants expressed high concern regarding air pollution and its impact on their lives, an unmet need for air quality information from trusted sources, and a low sense of efficacy in addressing air quality issues.  Analysis is ongoing.

Conclusion:  A better understanding of residents’ perceptions of air quality and effective interventions to address their concerns, may contribute to city-wide initiatives to promote healthful environments and regional efforts to improve air quality.

Learning Areas:

Environmental health sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify risk perceptions associated with air pollution and their potential influence on initiatives to promote environmentally based improvements in health and well being.

Keyword(s): Air Pollution & Respiratory Health, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold an MPH and MSN, and am a research assistant and accepted doctoral student at the University of North Texas School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS.) I began working at EOHS in June of 2013 to help conduct focus groups held cooperatively with the Fort Worth League of Neighborhood Associations, and have continued to work on analysis of the data gathered through that project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.