Diminishing the health burden caused by disproportionate exposure to air pollution through local community action to change policies and practices

BACKGROUND: Turning Data into Action (TDA): Fighting Air Pollution in Two Immigrant Communities is a community academic partnership that includes community-based organizations, local health departments, air quality management agencies, education and housing agencies, and key stakeholders who are working to reduce air pollution and disparities in asthma, cardiovascular disease, and infant birth weight. TDA works to foster community action to change policies and practices to reduce health risks impacted by the disproportionate exposure to air pollution in two low-income, immigrant communities in Los Angeles. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: TDA utilizes the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) model to engage impacted communities to design initiatives aimed at health risks through policy and systems change. TDA forms partnerships with stakeholders (local community groups and various agencies) that are concerned with goods movement-related air pollution. The partnerships then engage in four assessments. DATA: Four assessments were conducted on: (1) issues of importance to the community, organizations; (2) entities and organizations that contribute to environmental health; (3) priority community health and quality of life issues; (4) the forces that impact the context of the community and its environmental public health system. Assessment data identified gaps in the local public health system, strengths and assets of the local community, and health and policy solutions to addressing the environmental justice issues occurring within these communities. Themes identified include: healthy communities have clean air, more trees; lack of resources, education, and awareness hinder the community from being healthy; solutions to barriers include grassroots lobbying, tree planting, and walking clubs. CONCLUSION: Policymaker awareness is essential to improving the quality of life for the local community, and to reducing the environmental burden caused by disproportionate exposure to air pollution. Increased community awareness and action may be an important, even essential, driver in combating these environmental health disparities.