From crisis to opportunity: Using land-use tools to educate and engage vulnerable populations in environmental health policy development

Research Question: What land-use processes can be leveraged to mitigate environmental health risks and engage vulnerable populations in public policy development?

Problem: Public health hazards are found in neighborhoods everywhere as documented by decades of studies—industries dumping toxins into water and air. Vulnerable populations in densely populated urban areas distracted by competing life threatening issues have been largely unengaged in matters involving environment and human health. Yet they experience higher rates of chronic disease correlated to environment than their suburban counterparts. This intervention chronicles the education and engagement of affected populations in changing land-use policies as a way to reduce health risks caused by environmental hazards.

Methods: Residents are engaged employing a social change model involving a systematic approach to institutional change beginning with problem identification, second tiered research/data collection and moving through to policy formulation. Research findings are then used to mobilize affected communities, influence planning process and policy development.

Specific Conclusion: Land-use management processes offer vehicles by which to educate and involve affected populations in environmental health issues.