hepdetroit.org

Goals & Objectives

This is a research effort conducted with support from the National Institute of Health /National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 5R01ES14234-3.

The project aims to

• assess relationships between the built environment and physical activity practices
  in selected Detroit neighborhoods.
• assess the food environment in selected neighborhoods by auditing restaurant type and assessing availability, selection and price of fruits, vegetables and other select food items in area stores.
• assess the impact of changes in the built environment in conjunction with social and behavioral interventions to promote physical activity.
• disseminate findings broadly throughout Detroit and elsewhere.

Data Collection

We conducted several focus groups to examine residents' perceptions of aspects of their neighborhood that might influence physical activity and nutrition. We also conducted a follow up community survey (2008-2009) with 460 adult residents of eastside, northwest and southwest Detroit to learn more about residents' perceptions of, and experiences with, their neighborhoods, life stressors, and health status. Participants from the SPHED community survey (2002-2003) who were still residing in the same household were re-interviewed. In households where the original participant no longer resided, interviews were conducted with the new occupants.

We also completed observational data collection of pathway characteristics and pedestrian use for three Greenways being built in our neighborhoods, 2006-2009.

Activities

Project activities have included creation of walking maps, pedestrian observations, and physical activity classes and instructor training in partnership with the REACH Detroit Partnership.

Products to Date