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Taylor A, Garretson A, Bieluch KH, Buckman KL, Lust H, Bailey C, Farrell AE, Jackson BP, Lincoln R, Arneson E, Hall SR, Stanton BA, Disney JE. A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding the Public Health Impact of a School-Based Citizen Science Program to Reduce Arsenic in Private Well Water. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:87006. [PMID: 39166865 PMCID: PMC11338042 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to arsenic (As) in well water is a well-documented public health issue for Maine and New Hampshire, as well as for other states in the United States and abroad. Arsenic contamination of well water in these locations is primarily attributed to metasedimentary bedrock that leaches As into groundwater. However, As can also enter groundwater reserves from soils contaminated by the historical use of arsenical pesticides. Approximately half of the households in Maine and New Hampshire rely on private wells, many of which have elevated As. Arsenic exposure has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, reduced infection resistance, and lower intelligence quotient in children. Despite these known health impacts, well water testing and treatment are not universal. OBJECTIVES We have approached the problem of low well water testing rates in Maine and New Hampshire communities by developing the All About Arsenic (AAA) project, which engages secondary school teachers and students as citizen scientists in collecting well water samples for analysis of As and other toxic metals and supports their outreach efforts to their communities. METHODS We assessed this project's public health impact by analyzing student data relative to existing well water quality datasets in both states. In addition, we surveyed private well owners who contributed well water samples to the project to determine the actions taken to mitigate As in well water. RESULTS Students collected 3,070 drinking water samples for metals testing, and 752 exceeded New Hampshire's As standard of 5 ppb . The AAA data has more than doubled the amount of information available to public health agencies about well water quality in multiple municipalities across both states. Students also collected information about well types and treatment systems. Their data reveal that some homeowners did not know what type of wells they had or whether they had filtration systems. Those with filtration systems were often unaware of the type of system, what the system was filtering for, or whether the system was designed to remove As. Through interviews with pilot survey participants, we learned that some had begun mitigating their exposure to As and other toxic metals in response to test results from the AAA project. DISCUSSION A school-based approach to collecting and analyzing private well water samples can successfully reach communities with low testing rates for toxic elements, such as As and other metals. Importantly, information generated through the program can impact household decision-making, and students can influence local and state policymaking by sharing information in their communities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13421.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karen H. Bieluch
- Dartmouth College, Steele Hall, Earth Sciences, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Kate L. Buckman
- Connecticut River Conservancy, Greenfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hannah Lust
- MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | - Cait Bailey
- MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | | | - Brian P. Jackson
- Dartmouth College, Steele Hall, Earth Sciences, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Rebecca Lincoln
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, USA
| | - Erin Arneson
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, USA
- Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, USA
| | | | - Bruce A. Stanton
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Van de Cruys S, Bervoets J, Gadsby S, Gijbels D, Poels K. Insight in the Conspiracist's Mind. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2024; 28:302-324. [PMID: 37776304 DOI: 10.1177/10888683231203145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Academic AbstractThe motto of the conspiracist, "Do your own research," may seem ludicrous to scientists. Indeed, it is often dismissed as a mere rhetorical device that conspiracists use to give themselves the semblance of science. In this perspective paper, we explore the information-seeking activities ("research") that conspiracists do engage in. Drawing on the experimental psychology of aha experiences, we explain how these activities, as well as the epistemic experiences that precede (curiosity) or follow (insight or "aha" experiences) them, may play a crucial role in the appeal and development of conspiracy beliefs. Aha moments have properties that can be exploited by conspiracy theories, such as the potential for false but seemingly grounded conclusions. Finally, we hypothesize that the need for autonomous epistemic agency and discovery is universal but increases as people experience more uncertainty and/or feel epistemically excluded in society, hence linking it to existing literature on explaining conspiracy theories.
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Wargers A, Elphick CM, Mölenberg FJM, Senequier A, Manios Y, Mavrogianni C, Murray C, Queral J, Tarro L, Williams CA, Vlachopoulos D, Jansen W. Stakeholder perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours in underrepresented adolescents: a focus group study from the European SEEDS project. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1988. [PMID: 39054496 PMCID: PMC11270848 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity in adolescence has increased in the last decades. Adolescents fail to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity (PA) and healthy diet. Adolescents with a low socioeconomic status (SES) particularly seem to have fewer healthy lifestyle behaviours. The European Science Engagement to Empower aDolescentS (SEEDS) project used an extreme citizen science approach to develop and implement healthy lifestyle behaviour interventions in high schools. As part of this project, key stakeholders were invited to reflect on the intentions of adolescents to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours. The aim of this study was to gain stakeholder insights into the barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviours of adolescents from low SES areas and on the possible role of these stakeholders in facilitating healthy lifestyle behaviours. METHODS Six semi-structured focus groups were conducted in four European countries with 28 stakeholders from different settings (schools, community, and government), like teachers, policy advisors and youth workers. The theoretical framework of focus groups was based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The main questions of the focus groups were centred on PA and healthy diet. The focus groups were qualitatively analysed in NVivo using thematic analysis to identify topics and themes. RESULTS According to stakeholders, adolescents have sufficient understanding of the importance of PA and a healthy diet, but nevertheless engage in unhealthy behaviour. Parents were mentioned as important facilitators for engaging adolescents in healthy lifestyle behaviours. Stakeholders listed lack of knowledge, time, and financial resources as barriers for adolescents from low SES families to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours. The school environment was listed as an important facilitator of adolescents' healthy lifestyle changes, but stakeholders acknowledged that current school days, curriculum and buildings are not designed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours. External support and collaboration with community and governmental stakeholders was seen as potentially beneficial to improve healthy lifestyle behaviours. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the variety of barriers adolescents from low SES areas face, and the need for a broader collaboration between key stakeholders to facilitate healthy lifestyle behaviours. Schools are regarded specifically as important facilitators. Currently, the school environment entails various barriers. However, when addressing those, schools can increase opportunities for healthy lifestyle behaviours of adolescents from low SES areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on 12/08/2021: NCT05002049.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemieke Wargers
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher M Elphick
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Famke J M Mölenberg
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Amandine Senequier
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Yannis Manios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, 17671, Greece
- Institute of Agri-food and Life Sciences, University Research & Innovation Center, H.M.U.R.I.C, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Christina Mavrogianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, 17671, Greece
| | - Claire Murray
- European Citizen Science Association, c/o Museum für Naturkunde Invalidenstraße 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judit Queral
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, 43204, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, 43201, Spain
| | - Lucia Tarro
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, 43204, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, 43201, Spain
| | - Craig A Williams
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitris Vlachopoulos
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Wilma Jansen
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Social Development, City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Pasetto R, Zona A, Marsili D, Buratti FM, Iavarone I, Soggiu ME, Testai E. Promotion of environmental public health and environmental justice in communities affected by large and long lasting industrial contamination: methods applied and lessons learned from the case study of Porto Torres (Italy). Front Public Health 2024; 12:1408127. [PMID: 39050598 PMCID: PMC11266294 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1408127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Communities affected by large scale and long lasting industrial contamination are often keen to understand whether their health has been impaired by such contamination. This requires answers that integrate environmental public health and environmental justice perspectives. At these sites, exposure scenarios from environmental contamination over time by multiple chemicals, often involving different environmental matrices, are complex and challenging to reconstruct. Methods An approach for describing the health of such communities in association with environmental contamination is presented, with the methods applied across the three domains of environmental contamination, population exposure and toxicology, environmental and social epidemiology, and environmental public health communication. The approach is described with examples from its application to the case study of Porto Torres, a town with a substantial industrially conditioned evolution. Results Activities in the field of environmental contamination, population exposure and toxicology focus on the collection and systematization of available contamination data, the identification of priority pollutants based on their toxicological profiles, the qualitative assessment of the likelihood of exposure for the population to priority pollutants and their known health effects. Environmental and social epidemiology methods are applied to describe the health profiles and socioeconomic conditions of the local population, taking into account multiple health outcomes from local information systems and considering specific diseases based on exposure and toxicological assessments. The environmental public health communication methods are directed to produce a communication plan and for its implementation through interaction with local institutional and social actors. The interpretation of health profiles benefits from a transdisciplinary analysis of the results. Discussion The proposed approach combines the needs of environmental public health and environmental justice allowing the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge to define recommendations for reducing and/or preventing hazardous environmental exposures and adverse health effects, stimulating the interactions between stakeholders, and making the study results more accessible to citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pasetto
- Environmental and Social Epidemiology Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Rome, Italy
| | - Amerigo Zona
- Environmental and Social Epidemiology Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Environmental and Social Epidemiology Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Rome, Italy
| | - Franca M. Buratti
- Mechanisms, Biomarkers and Models Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Iavarone
- Environmental and Social Epidemiology Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Eleonora Soggiu
- Exposure to Air, Soil Contaminants and Lifestyle Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Testai
- Mechanisms, Biomarkers and Models Unit, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Queral J, Wargers A, Llauradó E, Jansen W, Solà R, Tarro L, Mölenberg FJM. Effectiveness of Participatory Research Interventions on Obesity and Obesity-Related Behaviors in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae067. [PMID: 38976588 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Adolescence is an optimal period to promote healthy lifestyles because behavior patterns are established in this stage. It has been suggested that engaging youth increases the effectiveness of interventions, but an overview is lacking. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory research (PR) interventions, where adolescents (11-18 years old) from high-income countries had a significant role in the intervention development and/or delivery, compared with no (PR) intervention control groups on obesity-related outcomes and healthy lifestyle behaviors (HLBs). DATA SOURCES Eight databases (Embase, Medline ALL, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Google Scholar were searched from 1990 to 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs (in English). DATA EXTRACTION Two researchers independently performed the data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. DATA ANALYSIS Sixteen studies were included and outcomes have been narratively described. Seven studies evaluated youth-led interventions, 3 studies evaluated co-created interventions, and 6 studies evaluated the combination of both. Six studies focused on physical activity (PA), 2 on nutrition, and 8 on a combination of PA, nutrition, and/or obesity-related outcomes. Ten studies presented at least 1 significant effect on PA, nutrition, or obesity-related outcomes in favor of the intervention group. Additionally, 12 studies were pooled in a meta-analysis. Whereas a small desired effect was found for fruit consumption, a small undesired effect was found for vegetable consumption. The pooled analysis found no significant effects on moderate-vigorous PA, total PA, and PA self-efficacy. CONCLUSION We found some evidence that youth empowerment in research may have positive effects on obesity-related HLBs, specifically an increased fruit consumption. However, the overall evidence was inconclusive due to limited studies and the heterogeneity of the studies included. This overview may guide future public health interventions that aim to engage and empower adolescents. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration Nº CRD42021254135.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Queral
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Annemieke Wargers
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabet Llauradó
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Wilma Jansen
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Social Development, City of Rotterdam, 3000 LP Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Solà
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, 43204, Spain
| | - Lucia Tarro
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Famke J M Mölenberg
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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López-López E, Sedeño-Díaz JE, Rico-Sánchez AE, Zariñana-Andrade EA, Reyes-Flores F, Soriana-Flores L. Indigenous people doing citizen science to assess water quality using the BMWP in rivers of an arid semi-arid biosphere reserve in Mexico. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15090. [PMID: 38956124 PMCID: PMC11219914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Arid and semi-arid areas are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (TCBR), in southeastern Mexico, is an arid and semi-arid area with high biological diversity and human settlements of eight ethnic groups. Two rivers drain the reserve, Río Grande (RG) and Río Salado (RS), which are not subject to water quality monitoring by government agencies; however, measures of water quality of these rivers are needed to focus conservation actions on this resource. This work aimed to test the effectiveness of participatory water quality monitoring with the participation of three actors: Reserve management leaders, local communities, and academics, to monitoring water quality in the rivers of the TCBR. Ninety-two residents were trained to carry out water quality biomonitoring using the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index calibrated for the reserve. The BMWP uses macroinvertebrate families to display numerical and categorical water quality scores. Additionally, the Water Quality Index (WQI) was assessed and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of the riparian zones was estimated in each study site. The mean WQI scores were 69.24 for RS (no treatment necessary for most crops and necessary treatment for public water supply) and 75.16 for RG (minor purification for crops requiring high-quality water and necessary treatment for public water supply). The BMWP showed five water quality categories (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor), showing higher water quality scores in the upper portion of the basins and capable of discriminating study sites with lower scores close to human settlements. At one study site, data from participatory monitoring impelled actions taken to address a pollution source and influenced policy focus, reaching the maximum level of participatory-based monitoring. This led to avoid the discharge of wastewater into the river to conserve and protect the water resource. WQI is closely related to BMWP; however, the latter was far more sensitive to detecting areas affected by domestic water discharges. The NDVI presented low values for the TCBR, being lower in RS (the driest area). Although the NDVI showed a weak relationship with BMWP values, areas with higher NDVI values generally achieved higher BMWP values. The results of this study highlight the high sensitivity of the BMWP to detect several water quality conditions in the rivers running through the TCBR when compared to WQI. In addition, the usefulness of biomonitoring using the BMWP index was evident, as well as the importance of the participation of local inhabitants contributing to the knowledge of water quality in biosphere reserves and carrying out timely measures that allow the rivers in these reserves to be maintained in good condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia López-López
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Evaluación de la Salud de los Ecosistemas Acuáticos, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Santo Tomás, Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Jacinto Elías Sedeño-Díaz
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Coordinación Politécnica para la Sustentabilidad, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Esq. Wilfrido Massieu, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07738, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Axel E Rico-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Hidrociencias, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carretera México-Texcoco 36.5 km, C.P. 56264, Montecillo, Texcoco, Mexico.
| | - Edgar Andres Zariñana-Andrade
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Evaluación de la Salud de los Ecosistemas Acuáticos, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Santo Tomás, Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernando Reyes-Flores
- Dirección de la Reserva de la Biósfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, 5 de Mayo 1611, col. Aquiles Serdán, C.P. 75750, Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Leticia Soriana-Flores
- Dirección de la Reserva de la Biósfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, 5 de Mayo 1611, col. Aquiles Serdán, C.P. 75750, Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico
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Laurent O, Gironza YC, Ancelet S, Armant O, Bard D, Baumgartner K, Bortoli S, Boudet C, Chamaret P, Cormier S, David A, Desqueyroux H, Gerber M, Grimbuhler S, Mougin C, Payrastre L, Schraub S, Trousse B, Reaud C, Charron S. Citizen science in environmental health research: A comparison with conventional approaches and creation of a guidance tool issued from the LILAS initiative. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118914. [PMID: 38609071 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Public interest for citizen science (CS) in environmental health is growing. The goals of environmental health research projects are diverse, as are the methods used to reach these goals. Opportunities for greater implication of the civil society and related challenges differ at each step of such projects. These methodological aspects need to be widely shared and understood by all stakeholders. The LILAS initiative (acronym for "application of citizen science approaches such as LIving LAbS to research on environmental exposures and chronic risks") aimed to 1) favor a mutual understanding of the main issues and research methods in environmental health, of their stakes for different actors, but also of the requirements, strengths and limitations of these methods and to 2) identify expected benefits and points of attention related to stronger degrees of participation as part of environmental health research projects. METHODS The LILAS initiative gathered institutional researchers, academics and civil society representatives interested in environmental exposures. Five meetings allowed to collectively identify different types of environmental health research studies and reflect about the benefits, limitations, and methodological issues related to the introduction of growing citizen participation as part of such studies. An analytic table matrix summarizing these aspects was co-created and filled by participants, as a tool devoted to help stakeholders with the definition of future CS research projects in environmental health. RESULTS For different fields of research (e.g.: studies for assessment of environmental exposures, interventions on these exposures, quantitative risk assessment, epidemiological studies), the matrix lists expected benefits for various stakeholders, the fundamental principles of research methods and related practical constraints, but also advantages and limitations related to the use of CS or conventional research approaches. CONCLUSION The LILAS initiative allowed to develop a tool which provides consolidated grounds for the co-creation of research projects on environmental exposures involving CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Laurent
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Yara Carrejo Gironza
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Sophie Ancelet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Olivier Armant
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SERPEN/LECO, F-13115 Cadarache, France
| | - Denis Bard
- Société Francophone de Santé Environnement, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Stéphanie Cormier
- CPIE des Pays de L'Aisne, For UNCPIE, Merlieux-et-Fouquerolles, France
| | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | | | | | - Sonia Grimbuhler
- Université Montpellier, INRAE, Institut Agro, UMR ITAP, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Mougin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR ECOSYS, Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | - Brigitte Trousse
- Centre Inria de Université Côte D'Azur, Sophia-Antipolis, France; European Network of Living Labs - ENoLL, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Reaud
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), SPOS, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Sylvie Charron
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), SPOS, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Cole NL, Kormann E, Klebel T, Apartis S, Ross-Hellauer T. The societal impact of Open Science: a scoping review. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240286. [PMID: 39100167 PMCID: PMC11296153 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Open Science (OS) aims, in part, to drive greater societal impact of academic research. Government, funder and institutional policies state that it should further democratize research and increase learning and awareness, evidence-based policy-making, the relevance of research to society's problems, and public trust in research. Yet, measuring the societal impact of OS has proven challenging and synthesized evidence of it is lacking. This study fills this gap by systematically scoping the existing evidence of societal impact driven by OS and its various aspects, including Citizen Science (CS), Open Access (OA), Open/FAIR Data (OFD), Open Code/Software and others. Using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews and searches conducted in Web of Science, Scopus and relevant grey literature, we identified 196 studies that contain evidence of societal impact. The majority concern CS, with some focused on OA, and only a few addressing other aspects. Key areas of impact found are education and awareness, climate and environment, and social engagement. We found no literature documenting evidence of the societal impact of OFD and limited evidence of societal impact in terms of policy, health, and trust in academic research. Our findings demonstrate a critical need for additional evidence and suggest practical and policy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicki Lisa Cole
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Sandgasse 36, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Kormann
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Sandgasse 36, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Klebel
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Sandgasse 36, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Apartis
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Sandgasse 36, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Torró-Pons C, Saus-Ortega C, Ballestar-Tarín ML. Citizen Science Studies in Nursing: A Systematic Review. NURSING REPORTS 2024; 14:946-960. [PMID: 38651484 PMCID: PMC11036250 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Citizen science is a research approach wherein citizens actively participate alongside professionals in some or all stages of the research process. The bidirectional benefits it generates, especially in the field of health, including empowerment, new hypotheses, and results, and addressing issues truly important to society, justify the necessity to establish a common framework and address barriers to ensure a fruitful evolution of this new approach within nursing research. The aim was to analyze nursing projects with a citizen science focus that have been conducted. METHODS PRISMA guidelines were employed to conduct a systematic review. Searches were conducted on PubMed, CINHAL, LILACS, IBECS, and Cochrane. Following the identification and screening process, 13 studies were included. The quality of the articles was assessed using the Joanna Brigg Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist and the quality of citizen science research using the Citizen Science Appraisal Tool. RESULTS Citizen science studies in nursing were notably recent (2017-2023). Five research areas were identified, with environmental health being the most predominant. Multiple tools, both technological and traditional, were utilized, with the "Photovoice" and "Our Voice" methodologies being prominent. Citizen participation was limited to data collection and analysis in 7 out of the 13 studies, with most studies working with small samples. Findings regarding the application of this practice were positive, but no study exceeded 26 points on the CSAT scale to be considered high quality in citizen science. CONCLUSIONS Citizen science can be a promising approach within the field of nursing. There is a need to increase individual participation to fully realize the potential bidirectional benefits. It is imperative to establish a common theoretical framework and continue working on the development of this methodology within nursing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Torró-Pons
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, c/Jaume Roig s/n, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (C.T.-P.); (M.-L.B.-T.)
| | - Carlos Saus-Ortega
- Grupo de Investigación Arte y Ciencia en Cuidados, Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería La Fe, IISLaFe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, nº 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - María-Luisa Ballestar-Tarín
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, c/Jaume Roig s/n, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (C.T.-P.); (M.-L.B.-T.)
- Nursing Care and Education Research Group (GRIECE), GIUV2019-456, University of Valencia, c/Jaume Roig s/n, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Brazeau GA, Robinson ET, Reardon G, Zgarrick DP. Pharmacists must take an active role as citizen scientists. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024; 64:30-33. [PMID: 37844732 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Science is a process by which society advances knowledge of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and testing of theories based on evidence. This process forms the foundation of the biomedical, clinical, and social sciences, which together provide an ever-changing knowledge base for health care professionals, like pharmacists, to use to provide evidence-based care to patients and communities. Yet, despite the essential and integrated application of science to improve health-related knowledge and care delivery, the utility and viability of science itself are under threat. Science as a broad discipline continues to be subject to politicization, misinformation, and persisting inequities among its beneficiaries. Science remains the subject of disparate perspectives regarding its societal benefits and expected roles. Pharmacists, given their education, training, and earned trust, can help to address these challenges by engagement as citizen scientists. Citizen scientists, through involvement with related initiatives, promote and advance all aspects of the public good, which are essential to the continued smooth functioning of our society. Pharmacists are well positioned to be engaged in various citizen scientist roles available in their communities that promote the public good economically, politically, and culturally. Involvement in citizen science activities is not without personal cost. This can be challenging, depending upon the level of involvement. It might take time away from other desired activities and generate perceived deficits of self-efficacy. Yet pharmacists who engage in the process of scientific discovery at any level as citizen scientists can experience personal and professional benefits, engage with other members of their communities, and provide an opportunity to serve as role models to others considering a career in pharmacy.
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11
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Froeling F, Gignac F, Toran R, Ortiz R, Ficorilli A, De Marchi B, Biggeri A, Kocman D, Ftičar J, Tratnik JS, Andrusaityte S, Grazuleviciene R, Errandonea L, Vermeulen R, Hoek G, Basagaña X. Implementing co-created citizen science in five environmental epidemiological studies in the CitieS-Health project. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117469. [PMID: 37871787 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Scientists and scientific institutions are adopting more extensive participatory models, hoping to revisit the existing relationship between science and society. Though citizen science has become more common in environmental monitoring, it is seldom utilized in environmental epidemiology. In the CitieS-Health project, we co-created epidemiological studies with citizens in five European countries. The aim of this paper is to share our experiences and impart methodological insight into the application of co-created citizen science strategies in environmental epidemiology. METHODS We applied the CitieS-Health framework, involving citizens in all the phases of the studies: identifying research questions, designing research protocols, collecting data, analysing data, interpreting data, formulating conclusions, authoring scientific articles and communicating the results to diverse audiences. These epidemiological studies, conducted in specific areas in Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, covered diverse local environmental issues and health effects ranging from air pollution and mental health to industrial pollution and kidney disease. RESULTS Together with citizens, we successfully conducted environmental epidemiological studies that generated new scientific knowledge reflecting the concerns and knowledge of citizens. Citizens contributed in all the research activities, including activities beyond formulating the research questions, though the researchers initiated several design discussions and conducted time-consuming and complex tasks (e.g. data analysis, measurement of specific exposures and health outcomes). The challenges we encountered were engaging effectively with citizens throughout the study, harmonizing citizens' knowledge and values with the academics' expertise, managing civic expectations, making complex concepts understandable to citizens and representativeness of participating citizens. The co-created studies were able to empower citizens to address local health concerns by sharing and using scientific knowledge generated from studies. CONCLUSIONS Integration of co-created citizen science in environmental epidemiology is feasible and has the potential to improve the quality of research whilst promoting civic trust in research and results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence Gignac
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raul Toran
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodney Ortiz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonella Ficorilli
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruna De Marchi
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy; SVT, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy; Department of Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - David Kocman
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jure Ftičar
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sandra Andrusaityte
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Roel Vermeulen
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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12
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Stingone JA, Geller AM, Hood DB, Makris KC, Mouton CP, States JC, Sumner SJ, Wu KL, Rajasekar AK. Community-level exposomics: a population-centered approach to address public health concerns. EXPOSOME 2023; 3:osad009. [PMID: 38550543 PMCID: PMC10976977 DOI: 10.1093/exposome/osad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Environmental factors affecting health and vulnerability far outweigh genetics in accounting for disparities in health status and longevity in US communities. The concept of the exposome, the totality of exposure from conception onwards, provides a paradigm for researchers to investigate the complex role of the environment on the health of individuals. We propose a complementary framework, community-level exposomics, for population-level exposome assessment. The goal is to bring the exposome paradigm to research and practice on the health of populations, defined by various axes including geographic, social, and occupational. This framework includes the integration of community-level measures of the built, natural and social environments, environmental pollution-derived from conventional and community science approaches, internal markers of exposure that can be measured at the population-level and early responses associated with health status that can be tracked using population-based monitoring. Primary challenges to the implementation of the proposed framework include needed advancements in population-level measurement, lack of existing models with the capability to produce interpretable and actionable evidence and the ethical considerations of labeling geographically-bound populations by exposomic profiles. To address these challenges, we propose a set of recommendations that begin with greater engagement with and empowerment of affected communities and targeted investment in community-based solutions. Applications to urban settings and disaster epidemiology are discussed as examples for implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette A. Stingone
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew M. Geller
- Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Darryl B. Hood
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Konstantinos C. Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Charles P. Mouton
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - J. Christopher States
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Susan J. Sumner
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - K. Lily Wu
- California Environmental Protection Agency—Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Arcot K Rajasekar
- School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Todowede O, Lewandowski F, Kotera Y, Ashmore A, Rennick-Egglestone S, Boyd D, Moran S, Ørjasæter KB, Repper J, Robotham D, Rowe M, Katsampa D, Slade M. Best practice guidelines for citizen science in mental health research: systematic review and evidence synthesis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1175311. [PMID: 37743990 PMCID: PMC10515389 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1175311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Partnering with people most affected by mental health problems can transform mental health outcomes. Citizen science as a research approach enables partnering with the public at a substantial scale, but there is scarce guidance on its use in mental health research. To develop best practise guidelines for conducting and reporting research, we conducted a systematic review of studies reporting mental health citizen science research. Documents were identified from electronic databases (n = 10), grey literature, conference proceedings, hand searching of specific journals and citation tracking. Document content was organised in NVIVO using the ten European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) citizen science principles. Best practise guidelines were developed by (a) identifying approaches specific to mental health research or where citizen science and mental health practises differ, (b) identifying relevant published reporting guidelines and methodologies already used in mental health research, and (c) identifying specific elements to include in reporting studies. A total of 14,063 documents were screened. Nine studies were included, from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and the United States. Citizen scientists with lived experience of mental health problems were involved in data collection, analysis, project design, leadership, and dissemination of results. Most studies reported against some ECSA principles but reporting against these principles was often unclear and unstated. Best practise guidelines were developed, which identified mental health-specific issues relevant to citizen science, and reporting recommendations. These included citizen science as a mechanism for empowering people affected by mental health problems, attending to safeguarding issues such as health-related advice being shared between contributors, the use of existing health research reporting guidelines, evaluating the benefits for contributors and impact on researchers, explicit reporting of participation at each research stage, naming the citizen science platform and data repository, and clear reporting of consent processes, data ownership, and data sharing arrangements. We conclude that citizen science is feasible in mental health and can be complementary to other participatory approaches. It can contribute to active involvement, engagement, and knowledge production with the public. The proposed guidelines will support the quality of citizen science reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olamide Todowede
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Felix Lewandowski
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yasuhiro Kotera
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Ashmore
- University of Nottingham Libraries, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Rennick-Egglestone
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Doreen Boyd
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Moran
- Information Services, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin Berre Ørjasæter
- Nord University, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Health and Community Participation Division, Namsos, Norway
| | - Julie Repper
- ImROC, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael Rowe
- Program for Recovery and Community Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Dafni Katsampa
- National Elf Service, London, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Slade
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nord University, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Health and Community Participation Division, Namsos, Norway
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Chen K, Lou VWQ. Lessons Learned From a Knowledge-Matching Participatory Research Approach Involving Law Students and Older Adults as Peer Researchers. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:956-968. [PMID: 37493970 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231186102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The popularity of engaging community members as peer researchers is growing. The existing participatory research involving older adults appears to suffer from two main issues. First, older adults are rarely positioned as equitable research partners. Second, a paradox may exist between capacity building and an authentic lay perspective of older adults. This article adopted a knowledge-matching participatory approach to address these two issues. Seven older adults and four law students were trained as peer researchers to work with two academic researchers on a project about financial well-being in retirement. This article documented the research process and reflected the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with this approach by analyzing transcripts from three reflective meetings, written reflections, and field notes from all peer and academic researchers using a thematic analysis approach. Results outline the experiences and reflections of using knowledge-matching participatory research for academic researchers and peer researchers, as well as for research processes and outcomes. The advantages of extending methodological amplitude, leveraging older adults' capacity, partnership matching, and empowerment are shown by the knowledge-matching participatory methodology. The establishment of capacity building, partnership development, and agenda flexibility are essential elements of success. We further discussed power disparity, partnership conflicts, and ethical dilemmas. Researchers and practitioners can utilize the findings, methodological approaches, and lessons learned in their studies aiming at engaging older adults in improving health and social well-being in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Chen
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Vivian Wei-Qun Lou
- Sau Po Centre on Ageing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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15
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Butsch Kovacic M, Elshaer S, Baker TA, Hill V, Morris E, Mabisi K, Snider I, Gertz S, Hershberger S, Martin LJ. The Eyewitness Community Survey: An Engaging Citizen Science Tool to Capture Reliable Data while Improving Community Participants' Environmental Health Knowledge and Attitudes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6374. [PMID: 37510606 PMCID: PMC10379192 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Many youths and young adults have variable environmental health knowledge, limited understanding of their local environment's impact on their health, and poor environmentally friendly behaviors. We sought to develop and test a tool to reliably capture data, increase environmental health knowledge, and engage youths as citizen scientists to examine and take action on their community's challenges. The Eyewitness Community Survey (ECS) was developed through several iterations of co-design. Herein, we tested its performance. In Phase I, seven youths audited five 360° photographs. In Phase II, 27 participants works as pairs/trios and audited five locations, typically 7 days apart. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were determined. Changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy were surveyed. Feedback was obtained via focus groups. Intra-rater reliability was in the substantial/near-perfect range, with Phase II having greater consistency. Inter-rater reliability was high, with 42% and 63% of Phase I and II Kappa, respectively, in the substantial/near-perfect range. Knowledge scores improved after making observations (p ≤ 0.032). Participants (85%) reported the tool to be easy/very easy to use, with 70% willing to use it again. Thus, the ECS is a mutually beneficial citizen science tool that rigorously captures environmental data and provides engaging experiential learning opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Butsch Kovacic
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise, and Nutrition Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Shereen Elshaer
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City 35516, Egypt
| | - Theresa A Baker
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Vincent Hill
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Cincinnati, OH 45214, USA
| | - Edith Morris
- Evaluation Services Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Keren Mabisi
- Evaluation Services Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ian Snider
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Susan Gertz
- Center for Chemistry Education, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Susan Hershberger
- Center for Chemistry Education, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Lisa J Martin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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16
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Wargers A, Queral J, Mölenberg FJ, Tarro L, Elphick CM, Kalogerakou E, Karagiannis A, Llauradó E, Manios Y, Mavrogianni C, Murray C, Vlachopoulos D, Williams CA, Jansen W, Solà R. Citizen Science to improve healthy and active living among adolescents in four European countries: a protocol of the cluster randomised controlled trial of the Science Engagement to Empower aDolescentS (SEEDS) project. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070169. [PMID: 37156575 PMCID: PMC10173974 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Improving healthy lifestyles of adolescents is challenging. Citizen Science is a way to engage them in the design and delivery of interventions, and may also increase their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Science Engagement to Empower aDolescentS (SEEDS) project aims to use an equity-lens, and engage and empower boys and girls from deprived areas by designing and cocreating interventions to promote healthy lifestyles, and to seed interest in STEM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS SEEDS is a cluster randomised controlled trial in four countries (Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK). Each country will recruit six to eight high schools from lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods. Adolescents aged 13-15 years are the target population. High schools will be randomised into intervention or control group. Each country will select 15 adolescents from intervention schools called ambassadors, who will be involved throughout the project.In each country, focus groups with ambassadors and stakeholders will focus on physical activity, snacking behaviour and STEM. The input from focus groups will be used to shape Makeathon events, cocreation events where adolescents and stakeholders will develop the interventions. The resultant intervention will be implemented in the intervention schools during 6 months. In total, we aim to recruit 720 adolescents who will complete questionnaires related to healthy lifestyles and STEM outcomes at baseline (November 2021) and after the 6 months (June 2022). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The four countries obtained approval from their corresponding Ethics Committees (Greece: Bioethics Committee of Harokopio University; the Netherlands: The Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Center; Spain: The Drug Research Ethics Committee of the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute; UK: Sport and Health Sciences Ethics Committee of the University of Exeter). Informed consent will be collected from adolescents and their parents in line with General Data Protection Regulation legislation. The findings will be disseminated by conference presentations, publications in scientific peer-reviewed journals and during (local) stakeholders and public events. Lessons learnt and the main results will also be used to provide policy recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05002049.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemieke Wargers
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Queral
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Reus, Spain
| | - Famke Jm Mölenberg
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Tarro
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Reus, Spain
| | - Christopher M Elphick
- Public Health and Sports Sciences department, University of Exeter, Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Electra Kalogerakou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Karagiannis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabet Llauradó
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Reus, Spain
| | - Yannis Manios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
- Institute of Agri-food and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christina Mavrogianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Claire Murray
- European Citizen Science Assocation, c/o Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dimitris Vlachopoulos
- Public Health and Sports Sciences department, University of Exeter, Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Craig A Williams
- Public Health and Sports Sciences department, University of Exeter, Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Wilma Jansen
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Social Development, City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Solà
- Metabolic diseases and nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Reus, Spain
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Reus, Spain
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Resnik DB. Disclosing and Managing Non-Financial Conflicts of Interest in Scientific Publications. RESEARCH ETHICS 2023; 19:121-138. [PMID: 37621567 PMCID: PMC10448996 DOI: 10.1177/17470161221148387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been increased recognition of the importance of disclosing and managing non-financial conflicts of interests to safeguard the objectivity, integrity, and trustworthiness of scientific research. While funding agencies and academic institutions have had policies for addressing non-financial interests in grant peer review and research oversight since the 1990s, scientific journals have been only recently begun to develop such policies. An impediment to the formulation of effective journal policies is that non-financial interests can be difficult to recognize and define. Journals can overcome this problem by providing guidance concerning the types of non-financial interests that should be disclosed, including direct research interests, direct professional interests, expert testimony, involvement in litigation, holding a leadership position in a non-governmental organization, providing technical or scientific advice to a non-governmental organization, and personal or professional relationships. The guidance should apply to authors, editors, and reviewers.
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Lokmic-Tomkins Z, Bhandari D, Bain C, Borda A, Kariotis TC, Reser D. Lessons Learned from Natural Disasters around Digital Health Technologies and Delivering Quality Healthcare. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4542. [PMID: 36901559 PMCID: PMC10001761 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As climate change drives increased intensity, duration and severity of weather-related events that can lead to natural disasters and mass casualties, innovative approaches are needed to develop climate-resilient healthcare systems that can deliver safe, quality healthcare under non-optimal conditions, especially in remote or underserved areas. Digital health technologies are touted as a potential contributor to healthcare climate change adaptation and mitigation, through improved access to healthcare, reduced inefficiencies, reduced costs, and increased portability of patient information. Under normal operating conditions, these systems are employed to deliver personalised healthcare and better patient and consumer involvement in their health and well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health technologies were rapidly implemented on a mass scale in many settings to deliver healthcare in compliance with public health interventions, including lockdowns. However, the resilience and effectiveness of digital health technologies in the face of the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters remain to be determined. In this review, using the mixed-methods review methodology, we seek to map what is known about digital health resilience in the context of natural disasters using case studies to demonstrate what works and what does not and to propose future directions to build climate-resilient digital health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, 35 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Dinesh Bhandari
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, 35 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Chris Bain
- Digital Health Theme, Department of Human-Centered Computing, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ann Borda
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Information Studies, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Timothy Charles Kariotis
- School of Computing and Information System, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Melbourne School of Government, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - David Reser
- Graduate Entry Medicine Program, Monash Rural Health-Churchill, Churchill, VIC 3842, Australia
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Rosofsky AS, Vorhees DJ. Bringing Multisectoral and Multidisciplinary Stakeholders Together to Optimize Environmental Health Research. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000746. [PMID: 36825115 PMCID: PMC9941472 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Incorporating multisectoral and multidisciplinary stakeholder perspectives into environmental health research planning and implementation can help increase the utility of the research. It can also enhance the likelihood of stakeholders using the research to inform decisions. Health Effects Institute (HEI) Energy, a funding and research organization, undertook a multiyear research planning process to build its stakeholder network and integrate their perspectives, knowledge, and priorities into research on potential exposures and health effects associated with unconventional oil and gas development. This commentary describes that process, lessons learned, and how stakeholder involvement shaped HEI Energy's inaugural program of research and associated stakeholder engagement.
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20
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Liu Y, Kwan MP, Kan Z. Inconsistent Association between Perceived Air Quality and Self-Reported Respiratory Symptoms: A Pilot Study and Implications for Environmental Health Studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1491. [PMID: 36674246 PMCID: PMC9859450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As public awareness of air quality issues becomes heightened, people's perception of air quality is drawing increasing academic interest. However, data about people's perceived environment need scrutiny before being used in environmental health studies. In this research, we examine the associations between people's perceptions of air quality and their self-reported respiratory health symptoms. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were estimated and the associations were tested at the 95% confidence level. Using data collected from participants in two representative communities in Hong Kong, the results indicate a weak but significant association between people's perceived air quality and their self-reported frequency of respiratory symptoms. However, there are disparities in such an association between different genders, age groups, household income levels, education levels, marital statuses, and geographic contexts. The most striking disparities are between genders and geographic contexts. Multiple significant associations were observed for male participants (correlation coefficients: 0.169~0.205, p-values: 0.021~0.049), while none was observed for female participants. Besides, multiple significant associations were observed in the old town (correlation coefficients: 0.164~0.270, p-values: 0.003~0.048), while none was observed in the new town. The results have significant implications for environmental health research using social media data, whose reliability depends on the association between people's perceived or actual environments and their health outcomes. Since inconsistent associations exist between different groups of people, researchers need to scrutinize social media data before using them in health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mei-Po Kwan
- Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zihan Kan
- Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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21
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Bennett CC, Ross MK, Baek E, Kim D, Leow AD. Smartphone accelerometer data as a proxy for clinical data in modeling of bipolar disorder symptom trajectory. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:181. [PMID: 36517582 PMCID: PMC9751066 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00741-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Being able to track and predict fluctuations in symptoms of mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder outside the clinic walls is critical for expanding access to care for the global population. To that end, we analyze a dataset of 291 individuals from a smartphone app targeted at bipolar disorder, which contains rich details about their smartphone interactions (including typing dynamics and accelerometer motion) collected everyday over several months, along with more traditional clinical features. The aim is to evaluate whether smartphone accelerometer data could serve as a proxy for traditional clinical data, either by itself or in combination with typing dynamics. Results show that accelerometer data improves the predictive performance of machine learning models by nearly 5% over those previously reported in the literature based only on clinical data and typing dynamics. This suggests it is possible to elicit essentially the same "information" about bipolar symptomology using different data sources, in a variety of settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey C. Bennett
- grid.49606.3d0000 0001 1364 9317Department of Intelligence Computing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea ,grid.254920.80000 0001 0707 2013Department of Computing, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Mindy K. Ross
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois–Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - EuGene Baek
- grid.49606.3d0000 0001 1364 9317Department of Intelligence Computing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dohyeon Kim
- grid.49606.3d0000 0001 1364 9317Department of Intelligence Computing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Alex D. Leow
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois–Chicago, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois–Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
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22
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Chapman K, Dixon A, Cocks K, Ehrlich C, Kendall E. The Dignity Project Framework: An extreme citizen science framework in occupational therapy and rehabilitation research. Aust Occup Ther J 2022; 69:742-752. [PMID: 36369985 PMCID: PMC10100520 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Engaging citizens and patients as research partners is receiving increasing emphasis across disciplines, because citizens are untapped resources for solving complex problems. Occupational therapists are engaging in inclusive research, but not always in equitable partnership. Moving beyond inclusive research to a dignified framework for research prioritises lived experience and human rights in health research. METHODS Using nominal group technique over a series of three working group meetings, eight experts, including three with lived experience of disability and research, prioritised principles and steps for conducting dignified rehabilitation research in partnership with citizens with disability. FINDINGS Embedding transparency, accessibility and inclusion, dignified language, and authenticity throughout research were integral to maintaining dignity and safety for citizens with disability engaged in research. The Dignity Project Framework encompasses five phases, namely, (1) vision, (2) uncover, (3) discuss, (4) critical reflection, and (5) change, which address the prominent criticisms of the disability community about research and embed the principles of importance into research practice. CONCLUSION The framework builds on inclusive research frameworks to a human rights-based, dignified framework for extreme citizen science. Grounding disability in contemporary conceptualisations and providing a method for democratising knowledge production provide occupational therapists with a method for dignified partnership with citizens with disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Chapman
- Hopkins Centre Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
- Griffith University Southport Queensland Australia
| | - Angel Dixon
- Griffith University Southport Queensland Australia
| | - Kevin Cocks
- Hopkins Centre Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - Carolyn Ehrlich
- Hopkins Centre Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
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23
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Mketo AR, Ringo CJ, Nuhu S, Mpambije CJ. Enhancing community participation for environmental health improvement in rural Tanzania: Evidence from Bukombe district. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2022; 94:102152. [PMID: 35944329 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Community participation has become a dominant approach in environmental health-related projects, yet, its enhancement has remained a challenge. This study examines ways of enhancing community participation in environmental health-related initiatives in rural areas of Tanzania. A total of one hundred people (n = 100) were engaged in this study. An embedded case study design was employed, in which multiple methods such as household questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis were used in collecting empirical data. Findings show that integration of the community into the development agenda and facilitating communities to access required equipment and tools is vital for enabling participation in environmental health-related matters. Effective and efficient leadership, mobilisation, and sensitisation of communities are operational and functioning strategies to improve environmental health through community participation, while retribution measures may prevent environmental pollution. There is a definite need for the integration of community participation as a key aspect of environmental-related projects and programs in the development policy aiming at improving the environmental health of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ally Rajab Mketo
- Geita Regional Commissioner's Office, P. O. Box 315, Geita, Tanzania.
| | - Cliford J Ringo
- Department of Public Services and Human Resource Management, School of Public Administration and Management, Mzumbe University, P. O. Box 2, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Said Nuhu
- Institute of Human Settlements Studies, Ardhi University, P. O. Box 35124, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Chakupewa Joseph Mpambije
- Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 2513, Iringa, Tanzania.
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24
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Lu T, Liu Y, Garcia A, Wang M, Li Y, Bravo-villasenor G, Campos K, Xu J, Han B. Leveraging Citizen Science and Low-Cost Sensors to Characterize Air Pollution Exposure of Disadvantaged Communities in Southern California. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8777. [PMID: 35886628 PMCID: PMC9322770 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Assessing exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across disadvantaged communities is understudied, and the air monitoring network is inadequate. We leveraged emerging low-cost sensors (PurpleAir) and engaged community residents to develop a community-based monitoring program across disadvantaged communities (high proportions of low-income and minority populations) in Southern California. We recruited 22 households from 8 communities to measure residential outdoor PM2.5 concentrations from June 2021 to December 2021. We identified the spatial and temporal patterns of PM2.5 measurements as well as the relationship between the total PM2.5 measurements and diesel PM emissions. We found that communities with a higher percentage of Hispanic and African American population and higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and housing burden were exposed to higher PM2.5 concentrations. The average PM2.5 concentrations in winter (25.8 µg/m3) were much higher compared with the summer concentrations (12.4 µg/m3). We also identified valuable hour-of-day and day-of-week patterns among disadvantaged communities. Our results suggest that the built environment can be targeted to reduce the exposure disparity. Integrating low-cost sensors into a citizen-science-based air monitoring program has promising applications to resolve monitoring disparity and capture "hotspots" to inform emission control and urban planning policies, thus improving exposure assessment and promoting environmental justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjun Lu
- Department of Earth Science and Geography, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA; (A.G.); (G.B.-v.); (K.C.)
| | - Yisi Liu
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Armando Garcia
- Department of Earth Science and Geography, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA; (A.G.); (G.B.-v.); (K.C.)
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA;
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA;
| | - German Bravo-villasenor
- Department of Earth Science and Geography, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA; (A.G.); (G.B.-v.); (K.C.)
| | - Kimberly Campos
- Department of Earth Science and Geography, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA; (A.G.); (G.B.-v.); (K.C.)
| | - Jia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (J.X.); (B.H.)
| | - Bin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (J.X.); (B.H.)
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25
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Jovan SE, Zuidema C, Derrien MM, Bidwell AL, Brinkley W, Smith RJ, Blahna D, Barnhill R, Gould L, Rodríguez AJ, Amacher MC, Abel TD, López P. Heavy metals in moss guide environmental justice investigation: A case study using community science in Seattle,
WA
,
USA. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Jovan
- USDA Forest Service PNW Research Station Portland Oregon USA
| | - Christopher Zuidema
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Monika M. Derrien
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Seattle Washington USA
| | | | | | - Robert J. Smith
- USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management Program Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Dale Blahna
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Seattle Washington USA
| | | | - Linn Gould
- Just Health Action Seattle Washington USA
| | | | - Michael C. Amacher
- Forest Environment Health Research & Consulting, LLC North Logan Utah USA
| | - Troy D. Abel
- Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy Western Washington University Bellingham Washington USA
| | - Paulina López
- Duwamish River Community Coalition Seattle Washington USA
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26
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Herzog L, Lepenies R. Citizen Science in Deliberative Systems: Participation, Epistemic Injustice, and Civic Empowerment. MINERVA 2022; 60:489-508. [PMID: 35574292 PMCID: PMC9080978 DOI: 10.1007/s11024-022-09467-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we bring together the literature on citizen science and on deliberative democracy and epistemic injustice. We argue that citizen science can be seen as one element of "deliberative systems," as described by Mansbridge et al. But in order to fulfil its democratic potential, citizen science needs to be attentive to various forms of exclusion and epistemic injustice, as analyzed by Fricker, Medina and others. Moreover, to tap the potentials of citizen science from the perspective of deliberative democracy, it needs to move towards a more empowered approach, in which citizens do not only deliver data points, but also, in invited or uninvited settings, participate in discussions about the goals and implications of research. Integrating citizen science into the deliberative systems approach embeds it in a broader framework of democratic theory and suggests the transmission of certain practical strategies (e.g., randomized sampling). It can also contribute to realism about both the potentials and the limits of citizen science. As part of a deliberative system, citizen science cannot, and need not, be the only place in which reforms are necessary for creating stronger ties between science and society and for aligning science with democratic values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Herzog
- Faculty of Philosophy, University of Groningen, Oude Boteringestraat 52, 9712 GL Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Robert Lepenies
- Karlshochschule International University, Karlstraße 36-38, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
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27
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Marks L, Laird Y, Trevena H, Smith BJ, Rowbotham S. A Scoping Review of Citizen Science Approaches in Chronic Disease Prevention. Front Public Health 2022; 10:743348. [PMID: 35615030 PMCID: PMC9125037 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.743348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Citizen science approaches, which involve members of the public as active collaborators in scientific research, are increasingly being recognized for their potential benefits in chronic disease prevention. However, understanding the potential applicability, feasibility and impacts of these approaches is necessary if they are to be more widely used. This study aimed to synthesize research that has applied and evaluated citizen science approaches in chronic disease prevention and identify key questions, gaps, and opportunities to inform future work in this field. Methods We searched six databases (Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, PubMed, and CINAHL) in January 2022 to identify articles on the use of citizen science in prevention. We extracted and synthesized data on key characteristics of citizen science projects, including topics, aims and level of involvement of citizen scientists, as well as methods and findings of evaluations of these projects. Results Eighty-one articles reported on citizen science across a variety of health issues, predominantly physical activity and/or nutrition. Projects primarily aimed to identify problems from the perspective of community members; generate and prioritize solutions; develop, test or evaluate interventions; or build community capacity. Most projects were small-scale, and few were co-produced with policy or practice stakeholders. While around half of projects included an evaluation component, overall, there was a lack of robust, in-depth evaluations of the processes and impacts of citizen science projects. Conclusions Citizen science approaches are increasingly being used in chronic disease prevention to identify and prioritize community-focused solutions, mobilize support and advocacy, and empower communities to take action to support their health and wellbeing. However, to realize the potential of this approach more attention needs to be paid to demonstrating the feasibility of using citizen science approaches at scale, and to rigorous evaluation of impacts from using these approaches for the diverse stakeholders involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Marks
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Laird
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen Trevena
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben J. Smith
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Rowbotham
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Use of Low-Cost Sensors to Characterize Occupational Exposure to PM2.5 Concentrations Inside an Industrial Facility in Santa Ana, CA: Results from a Worker- and Community-Led Pilot Study. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13050722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 is an air contaminant that has been widely associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health, leading to increased hospital admissions and mortality. Following concerns reported by workers at an industrial facility located in Santa Ana, California, workers and community leaders collaborated with experts in the development of an air monitoring pilot study to measure PM2.5 concentrations to which employees and local residents are exposed during factory operating hours. To detect PM2.5, participants wore government-validated AtmoTube Pro personal air monitoring devices during three separate workdays (5 AM–1:30 PM) in August 2021. Results demonstrated a mean PM2.5 level inside the facility of 112.3 µg/m3, nearly seven-times greater than outdoors (17.3 µg/m3). Of the eight workers who wore personal indoor sampling devices, five showed measurements over 100 μg/m3. Welding-related activity inside the facility resulted in the greatest PM2.5 concentrations. This study demonstrates the utility of using low-cost air quality sensors combined with employee knowledge and participation for the investigation of workplace air pollution exposure as well as facilitation of greater health-related awareness, education, and empowerment among workers and community members. Results also underscore the need for basic measures of indoor air pollution control paired with ongoing air monitoring within the Santa Ana facility, and the importance of future air monitoring studies aimed at industrial facilities.
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Towards the Development of a Sensor Educational Toolkit to Support Community and Citizen Science. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22072543. [PMID: 35408158 PMCID: PMC9003123 DOI: 10.3390/s22072543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
As air quality sensors increasingly become commercially available, a deeper consideration of their usability and usefulness is needed to ensure effective application by the public. Much of the research related to sensors has focused on data quality and potential applications. While this information is important, a greater understanding of users’ experience with sensors would provide complementary information. Under a U.S. EPA-funded Science to Achieve Results grant awarded to the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California, titled “Engage, Educate, and Empower California Communities on the Use and Applications of Low-Cost Air Monitoring Sensors”, approximately 400 air quality sensors were deployed with 14 California communities. These communities received sensors and training, and they participated in workshops. Widely varying levels of sensor installation and engagement were observed across the 14 communities. However, despite differences between communities (in terms of participation, demographics, and socioeconomic factors), many participants offered similar feedback on the barriers to sensor use and strategies leading to successful sensor use. Here, we assess sensor use and participant feedback, as well as discuss the development of an educational toolkit titled “Community in Action: A Comprehensive Toolkit on Air Quality Sensors”. This toolkit can be leveraged by future community and citizen science projects to develop networks designed to collect air quality information that can help reduce exposure to and the emissions of pollutants, leading to improved environmental and public health.
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30
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Masri S, Cox K, Flores L, Rea J, Wu J. Community-Engaged Use of Low-Cost Sensors to Assess the Spatial Distribution of PM2.5 Concentrations across Disadvantaged Communities: Results from a Pilot Study in Santa Ana, CA. ATMOSPHERE 2022; 13. [PMID: 36187445 PMCID: PMC9523797 DOI: 10.3390/atmos13020304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 is an air pollutant that is widely associated with adverse health effects, and which tends to be disproportionately located near low-income communities and communities of color. We applied a community-engaged research approach to assess the distribution of PM2.5 concentrations in the context of community concerns and urban features within and around the city of Santa Ana, CA. Approximately 183 h of one-minute average PM2.5 measurements, along with high-resolution geographic coordinate measurements, were collected by volunteer community participants using roughly two dozen low-cost AtmoTube Pro air pollution sensors paired with real-time GPS tracking devices. PM2.5 varied by region, time of day, and month. In general, concentrations were higher near the city’s industrial corridor, which is an area of concern to local community members. While the freeway systems were shown to correlate with some degree of elevated air pollution, two of four sampling days demonstrated little to no visible association with freeway traffic. Concentrations tended to be higher within socioeconomically disadvantaged communities compared to other areas. This pilot study demonstrates the utility of using low-cost air pollution sensors for the application of community-engaged study designs that leverage community knowledge, enable high-density air monitoring, and facilitate greater health-related awareness, education, and empowerment among communities. The mobile air-monitoring approach used in this study, and its application to characterize the ambient air quality within a defined geographic region, is in contrast to other community-engaged studies, which employ fixed-site monitoring and/or focus on personal exposure. The findings from this study underscore the existence of environmental health inequities that persist in urban areas today, which can help to inform policy decisions related to health equity, future urban planning, and community access to resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahir Masri
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (J.W.), Academic Editors: Jianbang Xiang, Tianjun Lu and Yisi Liu
| | - Kathryn Cox
- Madison Park Neighborhood Association, GREEN-MPNA Programs, Santa Ana, CA 92707, USA
- Department of Anthropology, School of Social Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Leonel Flores
- Madison Park Neighborhood Association, GREEN-MPNA Programs, Santa Ana, CA 92707, USA
| | - Jose Rea
- Madison Park Neighborhood Association, GREEN-MPNA Programs, Santa Ana, CA 92707, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (J.W.), Academic Editors: Jianbang Xiang, Tianjun Lu and Yisi Liu
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Moon HG, Jung Y, Shin B, Lee D, Kim K, Woo DH, Lee S, Kim S, Kang CY, Lee T, Kim C. Identification of Chemical Vapor Mixture Assisted by Artificially Extended Database for Environmental Monitoring. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22031169. [PMID: 35161915 PMCID: PMC8840270 DOI: 10.3390/s22031169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A fully integrated sensor array assisted by pattern recognition algorithm has been a primary candidate for the assessment of complex vapor mixtures based on their chemical fingerprints. Diverse prototypes of electronic nose systems consisting of a multisensory device and a post processing engine have been developed. However, their precision and validity in recognizing chemical vapors are often limited by the collected database and applied classifiers. Here, we present a novel way of preparing the database and distinguishing chemical vapor mixtures with small data acquisition for chemical vapors and their mixtures of interest. The database for individual vapor analytes is expanded and the one for their mixtures is prepared in the first-order approximation. Recognition of individual target vapors of NO2, HCHO, and NH3 and their mixtures was evaluated by applying the support vector machine (SVM) classifier in different conditions of temperature and humidity. The suggested method demonstrated the recognition accuracy of 95.24%. The suggested method can pave a way to analyze gas mixtures in a variety of industrial and safety applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hi Gyu Moon
- Center for Ecological Risk Assessment, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Korea; (H.G.M.); (S.K.)
| | - Youngmo Jung
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Beomju Shin
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Donggeun Lee
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Kayoung Kim
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Deok Ha Woo
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Seok Lee
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Sooyeon Kim
- Center for Ecological Risk Assessment, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Korea; (H.G.M.); (S.K.)
| | - Chong-Yun Kang
- Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea;
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Taikjin Lee
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (C.K.)
| | - Chulki Kim
- Sensor System Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.J.); (B.S.); (D.L.); (K.K.); (D.H.W.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (C.K.)
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Boniardi L, Nobile F, Stafoggia M, Michelozzi P, Ancona C. A multi-step machine learning approach to assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on NO 2 attributable deaths in Milan and Rome, Italy. Environ Health 2022; 21:17. [PMID: 35034644 PMCID: PMC8761378 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00825-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution is one of the main concerns for the health of European citizens, and cities are currently striving to accomplish EU air pollution regulation. The 2020 COVID-19 lockdown measures can be seen as an unintended but effective experiment to assess the impact of traffic restriction policies on air pollution. Our objective was to estimate the impact of the lockdown measures on NO2 concentrations and health in the two largest Italian cities. METHODS NO2 concentration datasets were built using data deriving from a 1-month citizen science monitoring campaign that took place in Milan and Rome just before the Italian lockdown period. Annual mean NO2 concentrations were estimated for a lockdown scenario (Scenario 1) and a scenario without lockdown (Scenario 2), by applying city-specific annual adjustment factors to the 1-month data. The latter were estimated deriving data from Air Quality Network stations and by applying a machine learning approach. NO2 spatial distribution was estimated at a neighbourhood scale by applying Land Use Random Forest models for the two scenarios. Finally, the impact of lockdown on health was estimated by subtracting attributable deaths for Scenario 1 and those for Scenario 2, both estimated by applying literature-based dose-response function on the counterfactual concentrations of 10 μg/m3. RESULTS The Land Use Random Forest models were able to capture 41-42% of the total NO2 variability. Passing from Scenario 2 (annual NO2 without lockdown) to Scenario 1 (annual NO2 with lockdown), the population-weighted exposure to NO2 for Milan and Rome decreased by 15.1% and 15.3% on an annual basis. Considering the 10 μg/m3 counterfactual, prevented deaths were respectively 213 and 604. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the lockdown had a beneficial impact on air quality and human health. However, compliance with the current EU legal limit is not enough to avoid a high number of NO2 attributable deaths. This contribution reaffirms the potentiality of the citizen science approach and calls for more ambitious traffic calming policies and a re-evaluation of the legal annual limit value for NO2 for the protection of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Boniardi
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics, and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Environmental and Industrial Toxicology Unit, Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Nobile
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL, Roma 1, Via C. Colombo 112, 00147, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL, Roma 1, Via C. Colombo 112, 00147, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Michelozzi
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL, Roma 1, Via C. Colombo 112, 00147, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Ancona
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL, Roma 1, Via C. Colombo 112, 00147, Rome, Italy
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Gignac F, Righi V, Toran R, Errandonea LP, Ortiz R, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Creus J, Basagaña X, Balestrini M. Co-creating a local environmental epidemiology study: the case of citizen science for investigating air pollution and related health risks in Barcelona, Spain. Environ Health 2022; 21:11. [PMID: 35022033 PMCID: PMC8753829 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00826-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the health risks of air pollution attract considerable attention, both scholarly and within the general population, citizens are rarely involved in environmental health research, beyond participating as data subjects. Co-created citizen science is an approach that fosters collaboration between scientists and lay people to engage the latter in all phases of research. Currently, this approach is rare in environmental epidemiology and when co-creation processes do take place, they are often not documented. This paper describes the first stages of an ongoing co-created citizen science epidemiological project in Barcelona (Spain), that included identifying topics that citizens wish to investigate as regards air pollution and health, formulating their concerns into research questions and co-designing the study protocol. This paper also reflects key trade-offs between scientific rigor and public engagement and provides suggestions to consider when applying citizen science to environmental health studies. METHODS Experts created an online survey and analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and qualitative coding. A pop-up intervention was held to discuss with citizens their concerns about air pollution and health. Later on, a community meeting was organized to narrow down the research topics and list potential research questions. In an online survey, citizens were asked to vote for the research question they would like to investigate with the experts. A workshop was held to choose a study design in which citizens would like to partake to answer their preferred research question. RESULTS According to 488 respondents from the first survey, cognitive and mental health were the main priorities of investigation. Based on the second survey, with 27% of the votes from 556 citizens, the most popular research question was, "How does air pollution together with noise and green/blue spaces affect mental health?". The study design selected was an observational study in which citizens provide daily repeated measures of different cognitive and mental health outcomes and relate them to the air pollution concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Based on the co-creation activities and the results obtained, we conclude that applying citizen science in an environmental health project is valuable for researchers despite some challenges such as engaging citizens and maximizing representativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Gignac
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Raül Toran
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rodney Ortiz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Xavier Basagaña
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
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Ross-Hellauer T, Reichmann S, Cole NL, Fessl A, Klebel T, Pontika N. Dynamics of cumulative advantage and threats to equity in open science: a scoping review. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211032. [PMID: 35116143 PMCID: PMC8767192 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Open Science holds the promise to make scientific endeavours more inclusive, participatory, understandable, accessible and re-usable for large audiences. However, making processes open will not per se drive wide reuse or participation unless also accompanied by the capacity (in terms of knowledge, skills, financial resources, technological readiness and motivation) to do so. These capacities vary considerably across regions, institutions and demographics. Those advantaged by such factors will remain potentially privileged, putting Open Science's agenda of inclusivity at risk of propagating conditions of 'cumulative advantage'. With this paper, we systematically scope existing research addressing the question: 'What evidence and discourse exists in the literature about the ways in which dynamics and structures of inequality could persist or be exacerbated in the transition to Open Science, across disciplines, regions and demographics?' Aiming to synthesize findings, identify gaps in the literature and inform future research and policy, our results identify threats to equity associated with all aspects of Open Science, including Open Access, Open and FAIR Data, Open Methods, Open Evaluation, Citizen Science, as well as its interfaces with society, industry and policy. Key threats include: stratifications of publishing due to the exclusionary nature of the author-pays model of Open Access; potential widening of the digital divide due to the infrastructure-dependent, highly situated nature of open data practices; risks of diminishing qualitative methodologies as 'reproducibility' becomes synonymous with quality; new risks of bias and exclusion in means of transparent evaluation; and crucial asymmetries in the Open Science relationships with industry and the public, which privileges the former and fails to fully include the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Ross-Hellauer
- Know-Center GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Reichmann
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Nicki Lisa Cole
- Know-Center GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Angela Fessl
- Know-Center GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Open and Reproducible Research Group, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Graham EB, Smith AP. Crowdsourcing Global Perspectives in Ecology Using Social Media. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.588894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transparent, open, and reproducible research is still far from routine, and the full potential of open science has not yet been realized. Crowdsourcing–defined as the usage of a flexible open call to a heterogeneous group of individuals to recruit volunteers for a task –is an emerging scientific model that encourages larger and more outwardly transparent collaborations. While crowdsourcing, particularly through citizen- or community-based science, has been increasing over the last decade in ecological research, it remains infrequently used as a means of generating scientific knowledge in comparison to more traditional approaches. We explored a new implementation of crowdsourcing by using an open call on social media to assess its utility to address fundamental ecological questions. We specifically focused on pervasive challenges in predicting, mitigating, and understanding the consequences of disturbances. In this paper, we briefly review open science concepts and their benefits, and then focus on the new methods we used to generate a scientific publication. We share our approach, lessons learned, and potential pathways forward for expanding open science. Our model is based on the beliefs that social media can be a powerful tool for idea generation and that open collaborative writing processes can enhance scientific outcomes. We structured the project in five phases: (1) draft idea generation, (2) leadership team recruitment and project development, (3) open collaborator recruitment via social media, (4) iterative paper development, and (5) final editing, authorship assignment, and submission by the leadership team. We observed benefits including: facilitating connections between unusual networks of scientists, providing opportunities for early career and underrepresented groups of scientists, and rapid knowledge exchange that generated multidisciplinary ideas. We also identified areas for improvement, highlighting biases in the individuals that self-selected participation and acknowledging remaining barriers to contributing new or incompletely formed ideas into a public document. While shifting scientific paradigms to completely open science is a long-term process, our hope in publishing this work is to encourage others to build upon and improve our efforts in new and creative ways.
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Rogers RD, Reh CM, Breysse P. Advancing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research: an overview of ATSDR and NCEH activities and recommendations. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:961-971. [PMID: 33795841 PMCID: PMC8015929 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) support and conduct research advancing national, state, and local public health response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals used in industry and consumer products that persist in the environment. Given the growing evidence linking PFAS with adverse health effects in humans, NCEH and ATSDR developed a public health research framework to capture the broad range of PFAS research activities being conducted and supported by the agency to determine future research priorities and identify opportunities for interagency collaboration. The framework was conceptualized via a multidisciplinary visioning process designed to identify compelling questions and research activities that span five scientific domains: toxicology, exposure, human health, public health action, and cross-cutting priorities. This paper presents a framework, compelling questions and research activities to help NCEH and ATSDR advance scientific discovery in partnership with federal, state, and local stakeholders as part of a comprehensive public health response to PFAS contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D Rogers
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | | | - Patrick Breysse
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Abstract
While there are many definitions of citizen science, the term usually refers to the participation of the general public in the scientific process in collaboration with professional scientists. Citizen scientists have been engaged to promote health equity, especially in the areas of environmental contaminant exposures, physical activity, and healthy eating. Citizen scientists commonly come from communities experiencing health inequities and have collected data using a range of strategies and technologies, such as air sensors, water quality kits, and mobile applications. On the basis of our review, and to advance the field of citizen science to address health equity, we recommend (a) expanding the focus on topics important for health equity, (b) increasing the diversity of people serving as citizen scientists, (c) increasing the integration of citizen scientists in additional research phases, (d) continuing to leverage emerging technologies that enable citizen scientists to collect data relevant for health equity, and (e) strengthening the rigor of methods to evaluate impacts on health equity. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa G Rosas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
| | | | - Abby C King
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
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Guerrini CJ, Crossnohere NL, Rasmussen L, Bridges JFP. A best-worst scaling experiment to prioritize concern about ethical issues in citizen science reveals heterogeneity on people-level v. data-level issues. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19119. [PMID: 34580327 PMCID: PMC8476613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96743-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
"Citizen science" refers to the participation of lay individuals in scientific studies and other activities having scientific objectives. Citizen science gives rise to unique ethical issues that stem from the potentially multifaceted contributions of citizen scientists to the research process. We sought to explore the ethical issues that are most concerning to citizen scientist practitioners, participants, and scholars to support ethical practices in citizen science. We developed a best-worst scaling experiment using a balanced incomplete block design and fielded it with respondents recruited through the U.S.-based Citizen Science Association. Respondents were shown repeated subsets of 11 ethical issues and identified the most and least concerning issues in each subset. Latent class analysis revealed two respondent classes. The "Power to the People" class was most concerned about power imbalance between project leaders and participants, exploitation of participants, and lack of diverse participation. The "Show Me the Data" class was most concerned about the quality of data generated by citizen science projects and failure of projects to share data and other research outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christi J Guerrini
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Norah L Crossnohere
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 220N Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Lisa Rasmussen
- Department of Philosophy, The University of North Carolina Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - John F P Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 220N Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Perez-Ramos JG, McIntosh S, Barrett ES, Velez Vega CM, Dye TD. Attitudes Toward the Environment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies to Address Environmental Health Risks in Marginalized Communities: Prospective Cohort Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e24671. [PMID: 34554103 PMCID: PMC8498893 DOI: 10.2196/24671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information and communication technologies, including mobile health (mHealth), can help isolated communities address environmental health challenges. The Puerto Rican island of Culebra has faced multiple sociopolitical and economic factors that have distressed the island's environment and health. Culebrenses are technologically engaged and have demonstrated a use of technology that transcends socioeconomic barriers. As a result, technological interventions could potentially help manage environmental risks on the island. OBJECTIVE This study aims to test and evaluate the potential benefits of an mHealth tool, termed ¡mZAP! (Zonas, Acción y Protección), for engaging communities with environmental risks through technology. METHODS Participants using ¡mZAP! (N=111) were surveyed. Bivariate analyses were used to examine associations of mHealth use with sociodemographics, technology use, an adapted environmental attitudes inventory, and the multidimensional health locus of control. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between attitudes toward environmental health risks and mHealth use. RESULTS Higher positive attitudes toward the environment were significantly associated with the use of ¡mZAP! (odds ratio 5.3, 95% CI 1.6-17.0). Environmental attitudes were also associated with the multidimensional health locus of control powerful others subscale (P=.02), indicating that attitudes toward the environment become more negative as feelings controlled by others increase. Participants felt that the authorities would resolve the challenges (63/111, 56.7%). CONCLUSIONS Perceived lack of control could present barriers to collective actions to address salient environmental health challenges in communities. The ongoing dependency on government-based solutions to community problems is worrisome, especially after the hurricane experiences of 2017 (which may potentially continue to be an issue subsequent to the more recent 2020 earthquakes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G Perez-Ramos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Scott McIntosh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
| | - Carmen M Velez Vega
- Escuela Graduada de Salud Pública, Recinto de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Timothy D Dye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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40
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Towards a Transdisciplinary Theoretical Framework of Citizen Science: Results from a Meta-Review Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13147904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This work intends to lay the foundations for a theoretical framework of citizen science combining social and organizational implications with the support of information technologies. The proposed theoretical framework moves towards a shared and common research process between experts and citizens to deal with environmental and social challenges. The role and capacity of online communities is explored and their engagement capacity by means of web-based digital platforms supporting crowdsourcing activities. In this contribution, authors highlight the most common practices, methods and issues of citizen science approaches adopted from multidisciplinary application fields to obtain insights for designing a new participative approach for organizational studies. To reach this goal, authors illustrate the results of a systematic meta-review analysis, consisting of an accurate selection and revision of journal review articles in order to highlight concepts, methods, research design approaches and tools adopted in citizen science approaches.
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Froeling F, Gignac F, Hoek G, Vermeulen R, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Ficorilli A, De Marchi B, Biggeri A, Kocman D, Robinson JA, Grazuleviciene R, Andrusaityte S, Righi V, Basagaña X. Narrative review of citizen science in environmental epidemiology: Setting the stage for co-created research projects in environmental epidemiology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106470. [PMID: 33677244 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Several citizen science (CS) initiatives have been adopted in environmental science to monitor air and noise pollution, and water quality related to civic concerns. Nevertheless, CS projects in environmental epidemiology remain scarce. This is because little attention has been paid to evaluate associations of environmental exposures with health effects directly. This narrative review aims to promote the understanding and application of CS in environmental epidemiology. There are many commonalities between CS and other participatory approaches in environmental epidemiology. Yet, CS can foster the democratization of scientific governance and enhance the sustainability of research projects more effectively than other existing participatory approaches. This is especially the case in projects where citizens are invited to participate, engage and become involved throughout all the phases of a research project (co-created projects). This paper identifies various challenges and opportunities specific to the implementation of co-created CS projects in environmental epidemiology. The development of more locally relevant research designs, using local knowledge, obtaining medical ethical clearance, and co-analysing the association between exposure and health, are examples of opportunities and challenges that require epidemiologists to go beyond the traditional research framework and include more outreach activities. Continued efforts, particularly the sharing of information about projects' collaborative processes, are needed to make CS a more concrete and cohesive approach in environmental epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence Gignac
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Antonella Ficorilli
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruna De Marchi
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy; SVT, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Epidemiologia e Prevenzione "Giulio A. Maccacaro" Social Enterprise, Milan, Italy; Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "G. Parenti" University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - David Kocman
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Johanna Amalia Robinson
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Sandra Andrusaityte
- Department of Environmental Science, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Xavier Basagaña
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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Muhamad Khair NK, Lee KE, Mokhtar M. Community-based monitoring for environmental sustainability: A review of characteristics and the synthesis of criteria. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112491. [PMID: 33813302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Community-based monitoring is increasingly recognised as one solution to sustainable environmental management. However, the development of community-based monitoring has led to confusion or misconceptions regarding other similar initiatives. Through a review of the characteristics and synthesising criteria of effective community-based monitoring, this article addresses how to distinguish community-based monitoring from other forms of community engagement research. A review of relevant community-based monitoring literature identifies the characteristics of and knowledge gaps in procedures and governance structures. Additionally, evidence of common benefits, challenges and lessons learned for successful community-based monitoring are deliberated. As an outcome of the review, the article synthesises a set of community-based monitoring criteria as follows: (1) efficacy of initiatives, (2) technicality aspects, (3) feedback mechanisms and (4) sustainability. These synthesised criteria will be instrumental in designing customised community-based monitoring initiatives for environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Khairlida Muhamad Khair
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khai Ern Lee
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Research and Instrumentation Management (CRIM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, No.5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mazlin Mokhtar
- Research Centre for Sustainability Science & Governance (SGK), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, No.5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor, Malaysia
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Averett N. Making It Count: How to Achieve Structural Change with Community-Based Participatory Research Projects. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:64002. [PMID: 34184921 PMCID: PMC8240718 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
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deSouza P, Kinney PL. On the distribution of low-cost PM 2.5 sensors in the US: demographic and air quality associations. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:514-524. [PMID: 33958706 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-cost sensors have the potential to democratize air pollution information and supplement regulatory networks. However, differentials in access to these sensors could exacerbate existing inequalities in the ability of different communities to respond to the threat of air pollution. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to analyze patterns of deployments of a commonly used low-cost sensor, as a function of demographics and pollutant concentrations. METHODS We used Wilcoxon rank sum tests to assess differences between socioeconomic characteristics and PM2.5 concentrations of locations with low-cost sensors and those with regulatory monitors. We used Kolomogorov-Smirnov tests to examine how representative census tracts with sensors were of the United States. We analyzed predictors of the presence, and number of, sensors in a tract using regressions. RESULTS Census tracts with low-cost sensors were higher income more White and more educated than the US as a whole and than tracts with regulatory monitors. For all states except for California they are in locations with lower annual-average PM2.5 concentrations than regulatory monitors. The existing presence of a regulatory monitor, the percentage of people living above the poverty line and PM2.5 concentrations were associated with the presence of low-cost sensors in a tract. SIGNIFICANCE Strategies to improve access to low-cost sensors in less-privileged communities are needed to democratize air pollution data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka deSouza
- Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Davis LF, Ramírez-Andreotta MD. Participatory Research for Environmental Justice: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:26001. [PMID: 33591210 PMCID: PMC7885999 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental health risks are disproportionately colocated with communities in poverty and communities of color. In some cases, participatory research projects have effectively addressed structural causes of health risk in environmental justice (EJ) communities. However, many such projects fail to catalyze change at a structural level. OBJECTIVES This review employs Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) to theorize specific elements of participatory research for environmental health that effectively prompt structural change in EJ communities. METHODS Academic database search was used to identify peer-reviewed literature describing participatory research with EJ communities to address environmental health. Synthetic constructs were developed iteratively related to study characteristics, design elements, and outcomes; and data were extracted for included records. Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations between study design elements and structural change outcomes. Through critical, comparative, and contextual analyses of the "structural change" case study group and "non- structural change" group, informed by relevant theoretical literature, a synthesizing argument was generated. RESULTS From 505 total records identified, eligibility screening produced 232 case study articles, representing 154 case studies, and 55 theoretical articles for synthesis. Twenty-six case studies resulted in a structural change outcome. The synthesizing argument states that participatory research with EJ communities may be more likely to result in structural change when a) community members hold formal leadership roles; b) project design includes decision-makers and policy goals; and c) long term partnerships are sustained through multiple funding mechanisms. The assumption of EJ community benefit through research participation is critically examined. DISCUSSION Recommended future directions include establishing structural change as a goal of participatory research, employing participatory assessment of community benefit, and increased hiring of faculty of color at research institutions. The power, privilege, and political influence that academic institutions are able to leverage in partnership with EJ communities may be as valuable as the research itself. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6274.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leona F Davis
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Mónica D Ramírez-Andreotta
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Division of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Crowdsourcing without Data Bias: Building a Quality Assurance System for Air Pollution Symptom Mapping. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi10020046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Crowdsourcing is one of the spatial data sources, but due to its unstructured form, the quality of noisy crowd judgments is a challenge. In this study, we address the problem of detecting and removing crowdsourced data bias as a prerequisite for better-quality open-data output. This study aims to find the most robust data quality assurance system (QAs). To achieve this goal, we design logic-based QAs variants and test them on the air quality crowdsourcing database. By extending the paradigm of urban air pollution monitoring from particulate matter concentration levels to air-quality-related health symptom load, the study also builds a new perspective for citizen science (CS) air quality monitoring. The method includes the geospatial web (GeoWeb) platform as well as a QAs based on conditional statements. A four-month crowdsourcing campaign resulted in 1823 outdoor reports, with a rejection rate of up to 28%, depending on the applied. The focus of this study was not on digital sensors’ validation but on eliminating logically inconsistent surveys and technologically incorrect objects. As the QAs effectiveness may depend on the location and society structure, that opens up new cross-border opportunities for replication of the research in other geographical conditions.
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Citizen Science, Health, and Environmental Justice. THE SCIENCE OF CITIZEN SCIENCE 2021. [PMCID: PMC7798064 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This chapter considers the interface of citizen science, health, and environmental justice. We review citizen science research undertaken by civic educators, scientists, and communities that aims to broaden scientific knowledge and encourage democratic engagement and, more specifically, to address complex problems related to public health and the environment. We provide a review of the current state of existing citizen science projects and examine how citizen science, health, and environmental justice impact each other, both positively and negatively. Specific challenges that relate to these projects are discussed, especially those that are not obvious or applicable to more traditional citizen science projects.
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Toward Environmental Justice in Civic Science: Youth Performance and Experience Measuring Air Pollution Using Moss as a Bio-Indicator in Industrial-Adjacent Neighborhoods. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17197278. [PMID: 33027991 PMCID: PMC7579114 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This article reports on an interdisciplinary evaluation of the pilot phase of a community-driven civic science project. The project investigates the distribution of heavy metals in air pollution using moss growing on street trees as a bio-indicator in two industrial-adjacent neighborhoods in Seattle, Washington (USA). One goal of the ongoing project is to meaningfully engage local urban youths (eighth to twelfth grade) in the scientific process as civic scientists, and teach them about environmental health, environmental justice, and urban forestry concepts in a place-based, urban-oriented environmental research project. We describe the collaborative context in which our project developed, evaluate the quality of youth-collected data through analysis of replicate samples, and assess participants’ learning, career interests, and overall appraisal of the pilot. Our results indicate that youth scientists collected usable samples (with acceptable precision among repeated samples), learned project content (with statistically significant increases in scores of test-style survey questions; p = 0.002), and appraised their engagement favorably (with 69% of participants reporting they liked the project). We observed few changes in career interests, however. We discuss our intention to use these preliminary insights to further our community-driven education, research, and action model to address environmental injustices.
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Chrisinger BW. The Quantified Self-in-Place: Opportunities and Challenges for Place-Based N-of-1 Datasets. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fcomp.2020.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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Verleysen A, Biondina M, wyffels F. Video dataset of human demonstrations of folding clothing for robotic folding. Int J Rob Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0278364920940408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
General-purpose clothes-folding robots do not yet exist owing to the deformable nature of textiles, making it hard to engineer manipulation pipelines or learn this task. In order to accelerate research for the learning of the robotic clothes-folding task, we introduce a video dataset of human folding demonstrations. In total, we provide 8.5 hours of demonstrations from multiple perspectives leading to 1,000 folding samples of different types of textiles. The demonstrations are recorded in multiple public places, in different conditions with a diverse set of people. Our dataset consists of anonymized RGB images, depth frames, skeleton keypoint trajectories, and object labels. In this article, we describe our recording setup, the data format, and utility scripts, which can be accessed at https://adverley.github.io/folding-demonstrations .
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Verleysen
- IDLab-AIRO, Electronics and Information Systems Department, Ghent University – imec, Belgium
| | | | - Francis wyffels
- IDLab-AIRO, Electronics and Information Systems Department, Ghent University – imec, Belgium
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