HEAN: Identification of Air Quality “Hot-Spots” near Schools and Green Spaces in Brownsville, TX

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health supported Brownsville Community Health Center to address the need for environmental action through an innovative program called the Health and Environment Action Network (HEAN). HEAN's initiative—a mobile pollution monitoring program—empowers community members to be scientists and advocates. A growing body of evidence shows exposure to pollution and toxins impacts health, and a higher exposure to those environmental risks in Hispanic communities. HEAN's model trains and supports community members, including youth “eco-teams,” to collect air and water measurements, map those exposures using a Google Earth® maps platform, and share findings globally on the web through a site that includes community results on Google Earth® maps, and through community produced videos.