142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Marine Access and Understanding in a Disadvantaged, Urban Coastal Community: Implications for Health, Well-being, and Ecosystem Management

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Julie Hollenbeck, MA , ECEHH/OHH, University of Exeter/University of Miami, El Portal, FL
Cassandra Phoenix, PhD , European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Truro, United Kingdom
Lora Fleming, MD, PhD , European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, United Kingdom
Katrina Wyatt, PhD , Department of Health Services Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Devon, United Kingdom
Angela Clark, MS , Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, FL
Ray Trujillo, Jr , Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, El Portal, FL
Background: There is mounting evidence that access to the marine environment contributes to human health and well-being, and may provide greater health benefits for deprived coastal communities than non-deprived ones. However, research suggests that marginalized populations are underrepresented in marine engagement activities, issues, literacy and policy. Against this backdrop, this ongoing PhD study investigates the socio-cultural factors influencing marine access and understanding in a disadvantaged, urban coastal community in Miami, Florida, from the perspective of current/former community members.

Methods: A number of qualitative data collection methods were used in Phase I, including focus group discussions and individual interviews with participants who self-reported non-engagement with the marine environment. Participants were asked to share their own experiences and insights about accessing and understanding the ocean, and discuss their perceptions and beliefs about marine-derived human health threats/benefits. Focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed, followed by independent thematic coding conducted by two project members. 

Results: While focus group participants generally believed the marine environment offered mental/physical human health benefits, emerging results from thematic data analysis shows that access and understanding in this community may be negatively impacted by a legacy of historic racial segregation, generational differences, cultural identity, little culturally-relevant marine outreach, perceived threats, socio-economic limitations, and top-down beach management policies.

Conclusion: Results from this project may provide insight into how participants make sense of marine issues and the environment; identify barriers and facilitators to coastal access; and offer new avenues to engage disadvantaged communities in marine environmental health-related behaviors.

Learning Areas:

Environmental health sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the influence of socio-economic factors on perceived relevance, risks, and benefits of the sea/coast to human health. Explain why people, who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and appear to have adequate geographic access to recreational marine environments do, or do not, access these environments

Keyword(s): Environmental Health, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This is my PhD research project, funded through the University of Exeter and University of Miami.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4194.0: Maternal & Child Health and Environmental/Occupational Health Student Posters