Advancing community-driven action research: Walkability assessments through videovoice

Though traditional research methods attempt to capture a community's needs, there is nothing more powerful than a resident describing first-hand her community's current conditions, need for change, and desired changes for improving health outcomes. California WALKS work focuses on improving the built environment and overcoming street violence to make walking and street crossing safer.

This session will guide participants through California WALKS' ongoing community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) VideoVoice method and best practices in empowering community residents to communicate desired changes to create safe and walkable neighborhoods. VideoVoice is a process by which youth, older adults, and other community members self-select and collect video data on existing health and safety conditions, identify their importance and articulate desired outcomes and the roles they and others play in achieving that change. By moving beyond “token” community engagement, VideoVoice is a powerful, easily understandable communication strategy that cultivates sustainable youth and community leadership in advocacy for healthy, safe, and equitable communities.

This session will focus on the process, outcomes and replicability of VideoVoice for maximum participant benefit. California WALKS Youth Leaders—who have been training and peer-mentoring other youth, public health professionals and older adults across California on VideoVoice best practices—will present their personal perspectives on community health outcomes achieved and the impact of VideoVoice on their future careers in public health.