scholarly journals Imagining and Implementing Healthy City Interventions: Combined Results from Parallel Concept Mapping Exercises in Montreal with Community Members and Stakeholders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Poirier Stephens ◽  
Caislin Leah Firth ◽  
Michael Cantinotti ◽  
Daniel Fuller ◽  
Meghan Winters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Concept Maps ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Healthy City

Abstract Background Built environment interventions provide structural solutions to complex urban challenges. Though community voices are part of municipal decision-making, planners and public health professionals need tools to better integrate their perspectives for desired changes (what) in the successful implementation of built environment programs and interventions (how). Methods Two simultaneous concept mapping exercises were conducted as part of the INTErventions, Research, and Action in Cities Team (INTERACT) study. Community members (a subsample of the INTERACT cohort) were prompted about neighbourhood changes that could improve their quality of life, while stakeholders (city staff, NGO, public health officials) were prompted about factors that contribute to successful implementation of urban interventions. Through each exercise, items were generated, grouped, and rated on importance and feasibility. Concept maps were produced using multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. The clusters or themes identified by community members’ and the stakeholders’ were combined into a Community x Stakeholder Matrix, which served to frame a discussion with stakeholders on built environment interventions. Results Thirty-two community members generated 41 unique responses, which resulted in 6 clusters: 1: Strengthen public transportation, 2: Reduce space dedicated to cars, 3: Foster local social connections, 4: Develop quality cycling infrastructure, 5: Improve pedestrian accessibility, and 6: Green the city. Thirty-seven stakeholders generated 40 unique items, which resulted in 5 clusters: 1: Collaboration with stakeholders and citizens, 2: Planning and evaluation, 3: Common vision for the future, 4: Regulatory framework and funding, and 5: Context-informed approach. The clusters were then used to produce a Community x Stakeholder Matrix to inform healthy cities intervention planning and evaluation.Conclusion Capturing the collective vision of our urban environments and understanding the processes underlying change through concept mapping can lead to more inclusive and successful changes. We propose combining different perspectives in a matrix as a method for evaluation and strategic planning that can help facilitate the integration of community voices into operational planning.

Evaluating the Effective Physical Indicators of Built Environment on Promotion of Sustainable Transportation: The Case of Sanandaj City

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 774-799
Author(s):  
Farzin Charehjoo ◽  
Nassim Hoorijani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Neighborhood Design ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
The Impact

The main goal of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the built environment and public health of citizens in four different buffers of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, Iran. There is a growing body of evidence that links the neighborhood design to public health and argues that the built environment impacts on the public health of people through the weakening or strengthening of sustainable transportation (walking, cycling, and public transportation) and physical activity. Regular physical activity has a significant impact on the health of individuals, and this can be the best way to cope with several diseases. The statistical population of this study includes people between the age of 18 and 65 years in Sanandaj city. The method used to investigate the normality of dependent variables is the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test; the assessment of the resident’s difference of physical activities is conducted through one-way variance; the impact of the built environment on physical activities is assessed through a multivariate regression test, and the effect of physical activity on the health of the individuals is evaluated through a correlation test. This study, by explaining the characteristics of the built environment in four different buffers, has exhibited that the environment supporting physical activity of pedestrians plays a critical role in increasing the amount of physical activity they engage in.

scholarly journals SODA MAPS: A Framework for Understanding Caffeinated Sugary Drink Consumption Among Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina E. Halberg ◽  
Amanda J. Visek ◽  
Emily F. Blake ◽  
Kofi D. Essel ◽  
Jennifer Sacheck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Concept Maps ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Group Concept Mapping ◽  
Applied Social Research ◽  
Sugary Drink ◽  
Group Concept

Excess sugary drink (SD) consumption is associated with childhood obesity and development of cardiometabolic disease. In addition to having high added sugar content, many SDs also contain caffeine, which may further encourage excess SD consumption among children. The objective of this study was to develop a conceptual framework of children's caffeinated SD consumption using group concept mapping, an applied social research multimethodology that collectively harnesses qualitative and quantitative data from participants to generate a visual representation of their ideas and input. Children, 8–14 years old, who reported consuming ≥12 ounces of caffeinated SDs (e.g., sodas, sweet teas) per day were recruited throughout Washington, D.C. and invited to participate. Concept mapping included three participant-driven activities: (1) brainstorming (n = 51), during which children reported reasons for their SD consumption, from which 58 unique reasons were identified; (2) sorting (n = 70), during which children sorted each of the reported reasons into categories and named each category; and (3) rating (n = 74), during which children rated the influence of each reason on their own caffeinated SD consumption. Similarity matrices, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to generate concept maps (hereafter “SODA MAPS”), which display the 58 reasons organized within eight overarching clusters. Among these eight clusters, Taste and Feel, Something to Do, and Energy were rated as particularly influential. Children's caffeinated SD consumption is encouraged not only by the palatable taste and reported preferences for these beverages (e.g., Taste and Feel), but also by psychological (e.g., Mood and Focus), biological (e.g., Energy), social (e.g., Something to Do) and environmental reasons (e.g., Nothing Better Available). Thus, the SODA MAPS can inform the development of tailored, multi-level SD reduction interventions that incorporate strategies to address important and currently overlooked reasons for caffeinated SD consumption among children.

scholarly journals Supportive Built Environment for Active Aging in Korea’s Healthy City

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 875-876
Author(s):  
Eunju Hwang ◽  
Chungwen Hsu ◽  
Jinwook Jeong ◽  
Nancy Brossoie ◽  
Kimin Song
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Healthy City ◽  
Outdoor Spaces

Abstract Many small and medium-size towns in South Korea experience an increasing number of older adults growing older. This medium-size mountain city has been a member of WHO’s Healthy City Alliances and we investigated the impacts of built environment (BE) in the community on active aging. The purpose of the survey was to identify the BE affecting the residents’ physical activity level and quality of life. The survey data (N=630) were collected from the residents aged 40 years and over in May 2019 from a mountain city near a national park in Northeast part of Korea. The average age of the participants was 67.41 years of age and most wanted to stay in their community. Our descriptive data analysis show that the following items are perceived very important to address in creating more supportive environment: benches in public spaces; safe pathways and public transportation station; well-maintained sidewalks; affordable and accessible housing options. Regression models were also developed to examine the impacts of BE on activity level and quality of life. BE factors included the features related to outdoor spaces and buildings, public transportation, streetscape and housing, and found a significant relation between the participants’ activity level and public transportation in addition to demographic factors such as age and health status. Regarding the quality of life, the participants’ perception on outdoor spaces and buildings and safe public spaces were positively related to quality of life. The study showed the importance of supportive and age-friendly environments for active living.

scholarly journals Strategies to support culturally safe health and wellbeing evaluations in Indigenous settings in Australia and New Zealand: a concept mapping study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Cargo ◽  
Gill Potaka-Osborne ◽  
Lynley Cvitanovic ◽  
Lisa Warner ◽  
Sharon Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Concept Maps ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Mapping Study ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Cultural Integrity

Abstract Background In recent decades, financial investment has been made in health-related programs and services to overcome inequities and improve Indigenous people’s wellbeing in Australia and New Zealand. Despite policies aiming to ‘close the gap’, limited evaluation evidence has informed evidence-based policy and practice. Indigenous leaders have called for evaluation stakeholders to align their practices with Indigenous approaches. Methods This study aimed to strengthen culturally safe evaluation practice in Indigenous settings by engaging evaluation stakeholders, in both countries, in a participatory concept mapping study. Concept maps for each country were generated from multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results The 12-cluster Australia map identifies four cluster regions: An Evaluation Approach that Honours Community; Respect and Reciprocity; Core Heart of the Evaluation; and Cultural Integrity of the Evaluation. The 11-cluster New Zealand map identifies four cluster regions: Authentic Evaluation Practice; Building Māori Evaluation Expertise; Integrity in Māori Evaluation; and Putting Community First. Both maps highlight the importance of cultural integrity in evaluation. Differences include the distinctiveness of the ‘Respecting Language Protocols’ concept in the Australia map in contrast to language being embedded within the cluster of ‘Knowing Yourself as an Evaluator in a Māori Evaluation Context’ in the New Zealand map. Participant ratings highlight the importance of all clusters with some relatively more difficult to achieve, in practice. Notably, the ‘Funding Responsive to Community Needs and Priorities’ and ‘Translating Evaluation Findings to Benefit Community’ clusters were rated the least achievable, in Australia. The ‘Conduct of the Evaluation’ and the ‘Prioritising Māori Interests’ clusters were rated as least achievable in New Zealand. In both countries, clusters of strategies related to commissioning were deemed least achievable. Conclusions The results suggest that the commissioning of evaluation is crucial as it sets the stage for whether evaluations: reflect Indigenous interests, are planned in ways that align with Indigenous ways of working and are translated to benefit Indigenous communities Identified strategies align with health promotion principles and relational accountability values of Indigenous approaches to research. These findings may be relevant to the commissioning and conduct of Indigenous health program evaluations in developed nations.

scholarly journals Does Compact Built Environment Help to Reduce Obesity? Influence of Population Density on Waist–Hip Ratio in Chinese Cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7746
Author(s):  
Chun Yin ◽  
Bindong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Healthy City ◽  
Waist Hip Ratio ◽  
Linear Association ◽  
Non Linear

This study aimed to identify the non-linear association between population density and obesity in China and to provide empirical evidence for the public health orientated guideline of urban planning. By conducting a longitudinal study with data collected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) between 2004 and 2011, we applied fixed-effect models to assess the non-linear association between the compact built environment and waist–hip ratio (WHR), controlling for sex, age, nationality, education, employment status, marital status, household size, household income, and residents’ attitudes. Our findings reveal that the built environment is one of the key determinants of obesity. The U-shaped influence of population density on WHR was observed. Moreover, influence differs according to sex and weight status. Our findings indicate healthy city planning has the potential to improve the built environment to reduce obesity risk and promote public health.

scholarly journals Temporary Urbanisms as Policy Alternatives to Enhance Health and Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic City

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Andres ◽  
John R. Bryson ◽  
Paul Moawad
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Extensive Discussion ◽  
Healthy City ◽  
Policy Alternatives ◽  
Urban Planning And Development ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Purpose of Review While there has been extensive discussion on the various forms of temporary uses in urban settings, little is known on the ways in which temporary and health urbanisms connect. Now, a turning point has been reached regarding the interactions between health and the built environment and the contributions made by urban planning and other built environment disciplines. In the context of the post-pandemic city, there is a need to develop a health-led temporary urbanism agenda than can be implemented in various settings both in the Global South and North. Recent Findings Health-led temporary urbanism requires a reinterrogation of current models of urban development including designing multifunctional spaces in urban environments that provide sites for temporary urbanism-related activities. A healthy city is an adaptable city and one that provides opportunities for citizen-led interventions intended to enhance well-being by blending the temporary with the permanent and the planned with the improvised. Summary Health-led temporary urbanism contributes to the call for more trans- and inter-disciplinary discussions allowing to more thoroughly link urban planning and development with health.

scholarly journals Knowledge and awareness of Dengue and Chikungunya amidst recurrent outbreaks amongst urban slum community members of Pune, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnil Rajendra Godbharle ◽  
Bibek Raj Giri ◽  
Abhay Machindra Kudale
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Epidemic Outbreak ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Control Response ◽  
General Community

Context: World health organizations (WHO) new strategy on Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) considered engaging and mobilizing communities and emphasized on local adaptation of communication strategies for achieving sustainable impact in vector control. Public awareness studies amidst and post epidemic/ outbreak situations can fast-track useful information to local programmes to set risk communication agenda. Aims: To assess knowledge and awareness regarding dengue and chikungunya among general community members during and post-epidemic/outbreak situations. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study in slums of Pune city wherein several recurrent outbreaks of Dengue and Chikungunya were reported. Methods and Material: In total 309 general community members residing in urban slums of Pune in Maharashtra were randomly chosen using population proportionate sampling. Semi-structured interview schedule was administered. Statistical analysis used: Knowledge and awareness scores for dengue and chikungunya were calculated and analytical statistical tests were performed. Results: It was found that most of the respondents were in the 18-39 years age group, ever married, literate, and had regular income. The study showed relatively good knowledge among respondents about symptoms, causes, mode of transmission and prevention methods for dengue and chikungunya. Respondents scored well with regard to awareness indicators concerning availability of supportive and symptomatic treatments for dengue and chikungunya. Average knowledge and awareness score for dengue and chikungunya together were 5.4 (+1.96 to -1.96) (SD) and 1.68 (+ 0.63 to -0.63) (SD) respectively. Better knowledge and awareness levels were reported among literate respondents. Conclusions: Findings indicate need for sustaining these better knowledge and awareness levels into efficacious and community-owned prevention practices to fast-track appropriate public health actions during and post-epidemic situations leading to sustained community mobilization and engagement to promote successful implementation of WHO recommended GVCR strategy. Key-words: Dengue; Chikungunya; Knowledge; Public Awareness; WHO GVCR Key Messages: Findings indicate capitalizing on better knowledge and awareness levels achieved due to public health campaigns amidst recurrent epidemic/outbreak situations to facilitate appropriate public health actions on continual basis for strengthening vector control response and suggests need for aggressive and sustained health education campaigning to promote implementation of WHO recommended GVCR strategy.

scholarly journals Architecture, urbanism and health in a post-pandemic virtual world

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Maturana ◽  
Ashraf M. Salama ◽  
Anthony McInneny
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Architectural Research

PurposeThe highly contagious coronavirus and the rapid spread of COVID-19 disease have generated a global public health crisis. Crises are being addressed at various local and global scales through social distancing measures and guidelines, emerging working and living patterns and the utilisation of technology to partially replace physical learning environments. The purpose of this article is to capture the key messages of the contributions published in this special edition of Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2021. Reviewing more than 70 submissions, 15 articles have been identified that are contributed by 35 scholars, educators and practitioners from 12 countries. The article calls for the need to embed trans-disciplinarity in current and future built environment research.Design/methodology/approachDriven by the fact that architecture, urban design and planning and built environment studies interact and have direct correlation with public health and virus spread. The approach to develop and present the key messages of the contributions is premised on three areas: (a) the pandemic condition as it relates to the built environment, (b) analytical reflections on the emerging themes and (c) the diversity and complexity embedded in these themes.FindingsWhile some contributions speak to the particularities of their contexts, others address regional or global parameters. The enquiry into architectural research, architectural education and architectural design indicates some of the important methods and tools to address the accelerated adoption, adaption and redesign needed to create a new and better normal which embeds flexibility, adaptability and continuous learning. The papers represent brilliant investiture to address the momentous insinuations the COVID-19 condition has on the built environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe diversity of implications reveals potential alternative futures for urbanity and society and the associated education and practice of future built environment professions. While the contributions invite us to critically envisage possibilities for future research and collective action, critical fast-track empirical research is needed to address how health is an integral component in the production of architecture and urban environments.Originality/valueThe diversity, complexity, depth and breadth of the contribution convey important insights on people, health and the spatial environments that accommodate both. Trans-disciplinarity, as it relates to research and action and to the production of urban environments, is viewed as a form of learning involving co-operation among different parts of society, professionals and academia in order to meet complex challenges of society such this pandemic condition. This approach has enabled the identification of three future research areas in architecture urbanism that include implications of virus spread on urban environments, how spatial and social distancing measures and protocols are altering our understanding of spatial design.

scholarly journals The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Endorses the Milan Charter on Urban Obesity

Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Michele O. Carruba ◽  
Luca Busetto ◽  
Sheree Bryant ◽  
Antonio Caretto ◽  
Nathalie J. Farpour-Lambert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
National Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Health Goals

The Milan Charter on Urban Obesity highlights the challenges of urban environments as a battleground for human health, as cities are often organized to subvert public health goals, and promote rather than prevent the development of obesity and consequent non-communicable diseases. The Charter articulates ten principles which detail actions and strategies through which general practitioners, diverse medical specialists, related healthcare professionals, administrators and healthcare practice managers, policy actors – within health systems and at a national level – along with experts across disciplines, and citizens, can work in cooperation to meet this challenge and improve public health. The Charter urges the adoption of decisions that deliver the following: (i) policies which enable our cities to become healthier and less obesogenic, more supportive of well-being and less health-disruptive in general, and (ii) policies that fully support primary prevention strategies, that address social stigma, and that ensure fair access to treatment for people living with obesity. The Milan Charter on Urban Obesity aims to raise awareness of our shared responsibility for the health of all citizens, and focuses on addressing the health of people living with obesity – not only as a challenge in its own right, but a gateway to other major non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing researchers’ perspectives on involving professionals in research: a group concept mapping study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Laustsen ◽  
Albert Westergren ◽  
Pia Petersson ◽  
Maria Haak
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Scaling Analysis ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Group Concept Mapping ◽  
Process Adaptation ◽  
Group Concept

Abstract Background Researchers have shown an increased interest in involving professionals from outside academia in research projects. Professionals are often involved in research on ageing and health when the purpose is to address the gap between research and practice. However, there is a need to acquire more knowledge about what the involvement might lead to by exploring researchers’ experiences of involving professionals in research on ageing and health and developing conceptual areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify conceptual areas of professionals’ involvement in research on ageing and health, from the perspective of researchers themselves. Methods Group concept mapping, a participatory and mixed method, was used to conceptualize areas. Researchers with experience of involving professionals in research projects on ageing and health participated in qualitative data collection through brainstorming sessions (n = 26), and by sorting statements (n = 27). They then took part in quantitative data collection, where they rated statements according to how much a statement strengthened research (n = 26) and strengthened practice (n = 24). Data were analysed using multidimensional scaling analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. In addition, a qualitative analysis of the latent meaning of the cluster map was conducted. Results Analysis of the sorting stage generated five clusters illustrating conceptual areas of professionals’ involvement in research projects on ageing and health. The five clusters are as follows: complex collaboration throughout the research process; adaptation of research to different stakeholders, mutual learning through partnership; applicable and sustainable knowledge; legitimate research on ageing and health. The qualitative latent meaning of the cluster map showed two themes: the process of involvement and the outcome of involvement. A positive strong correlation (0.87) was found between the rating of strengthened research and practice. Conclusions This study reveals conceptual areas on a comprehensive and illustrative map which contributes to the understanding of professionals’ involvement in research on ageing and health. A conceptual basis for further studies is offered, where the aim is to investigate the processes and outcomes entailed in involving professionals in research on ageing and health. The study also contributes to the development of instruments and theories for optimizing the involvement of professionals in research.

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