2004 Community Partnership Awards

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Toxics and Health Risks to Children and Youth in Southeast Los Angeles

Abstract:

Too often, health investigation has involved researchers studying a population as if under a microscope and delivering a diagnosis in isolation from the community. This study will embrace participitory action research as the model for the design, and implemenation of the Children's Health Survey. This project will be led by the community and CBO in partnerhship with epidemiologist, Dr. Beate R. Ritz from UCLA's School of Public Health. With this community based approach in determining the health impacts of toxics on children and youth, the findings will be informed by people's day to day experiences and encounters with the risk factors that may affect children's health. It is important to seek out traditional epidemiological data involving for example asthma prevalence in children of Southeast Los Angeles and other health outcomes, but this approach increases community engagement and participation to gain ownership over the findings and use them towards policy changes and improvements that could diminish health disparities in a sustainable way. Sustained change and meaningful community engagement is essential to creating long lasting health improvements.