From the ground up to the sky: Bringing aging and child advocates together to expand traditional air quality coalitions

BACKGROUND: Turning Data into Action (TDA): Fighting Air Pollution in Two Immigrant Communities is a community academic partnership that includes community-based organizations, 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 birth weight. Although children are vulnerable to air pollution because of their susceptibility to asthma, a growing body of research shows that cardiovascular damage due to particulate matter is a significant problem for older adults. Bringing aging organizations into efforts to control air pollution is therefore a high priority. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: TDA expands traditional air pollution coalitions beyond those active in the asthma area to bring in aging and heart disease groups. Using the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) model, TDA outreaches to stakeholders within impacted communities in order to foster effective policy advocacy with coalitions that bring both child and aging advocates together. DATA: Four assessments were conducted assessing issues of importance to the community, organizations, and entities that contribute to environmental health. Stakeholders convened and discussed assessment data and potential policy solutions. New relationships between aging and children advocacy groups were formed based on the recognition of air pollution as a common issue. CONCLUSION: Increasing community and policymaker awareness of the effects of poor air quality on health is essential to improving the quality of life for all community members, including older adults, and to reduce the environmental burden caused by disproportionate exposure to air pollution.