--- title: "Use citizen scientists to gather info about active living. | Sutter Health" description: "Study showed that low-income Latino teens and older adults can gather, analyze, disseminate info about neighborhood features that affect active living." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Use citizen scientists to gather info about active living. # Using citizen scientists to gather, analyze, and disseminate information about neighborhood features that affect active living. Winter SJ, Goldman Rosas L, Padilla Romero P, Sheats JL, Buman MP, Baker C, & King AC. _J Immigr Minor Health. \[Epub ahead of print\]_ 2015-07-17 ## Abstract Many Latinos are insufficiently active, partly due to neighborhoods with little environmental support for physical activity. Multi-level approaches are needed to create health-promoting neighborhoods in disadvantaged communities. Participant "citizen scientists" were adolescent (n = 10, mean age = 12.8 ± 0.6 years) and older adult (n = 10, mean age = 71.3 ± 6.5 years), low income Latinos in North Fair Oaks, California. Citizen scientists conducted environmental assessments to document perceived barriers to active living using the Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool, which records GPS-tracked walking routes, photographs, audio narratives, and survey responses. Using a community-engaged approach, citizen scientists subsequently attended a community meeting to engage in advocacy training, review assessment data, prioritize issues to address and brainstorm potential solutions and partners. Citizen scientists each conducted a neighborhood environmental assessment and recorded 366 photographs and audio narratives. Adolescents (n = 4), older adults (n = 7) and community members (n = 4) collectively identified reducing trash and improving personal safety and sidewalk quality as the priority issues to address. Three adolescent and four older adult citizen scientists volunteered to present study findings to key stakeholders. This study demonstrated that with minimal training, low-income, Latino adolescent and older adult citizen scientists can: (1) use innovative technology to gather information about features of their neighborhood environment that influence active living, (2) analyze their information and identify potential solutions, and (3) engage with stakeholders to advocate for the development of healthier neighborhoods. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26184398) ## Research topics - [Aging and Longevity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Aging+and+Longevity%5C%22%22) - [Child and Adolescent Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Child+and+Adolescent+Health%5C%22%22) - [Environmental Exposure](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Environmental+Exposure%5C%22%22) - [Health Disparities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Disparities%5C%22%22) - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) - [Prevention and Health Maintenance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Prevention+and+Health+Maintenance%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Prioritization of evidence-based preventive health services during periodic health examinations.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/priority-of-preventive-health-services-in-visits-1055312580) Shires DA, Stange KC, Divine G, Ratliff S, Vashi R, Tai-Seale M, Lafata JE. Am J Prev Med. 42(2):164-73. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.10.008. 2012 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Weight counseling for elderly patients in primary care: how often and how much time.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/wt-counseling-elders-primary-care-1055312562) Tai-Seale T, Tai-Seale M, Zhang W. J Health Human Serv Adm. 30(4):420-440. 2008 Apr 01 - Publication ### [Understanding primary care physicians' propensity to assess elderly patients for depression using interaction and survey data.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pcp-propensity-assess-sr-pts-depression-1055312561) Tai-Seale M, Bramson R, Drukker D, Hurwicz ML, Ory M, Tai-Seale T, Street R Jr, Cook MA. Med Care. 43(12):1217-24. 2005 Dec 01 - Publication ### [Healthcare access and utilization among Korean Americans: the mediating role of English use and proficiency.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/healthcare-access-use-korean-ams-english-use-1055312415) Li J, Maxwell AE, Glenn BA, Herrmann AK, Chang LC, Crespi CM, Bastani R. Int J Soc Sci Res. 2016;4(1):83-97. 2016 Jan 21 - Publication ### [Preventive visit among older adults with Medicare's introduction of Annual Wellness Visit: closing gaps in underutilization.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/annual-wellness-visits-preventive-visits-in-seniors-1055312376) Chung S, Romanelli RJ, Stults C, Luft H. Prev Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.08.018 2018 Aug 23 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Use citizen scientists to gather info about active living."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Using citizen scientists to gather, analyze, and disseminate information about neighborhood features that affect active living.","headline":"Use citizen scientists to gather info about active living.","abstract":"Many Latinos are insufficiently active, partly due to neighborhoods with little environmental support for physical activity. Multi-level approaches are needed to create health-promoting neighborhoods in disadvantaged communities. Participant \"citizen scientists\" were adolescent (n = 10, mean age = 12.8 ± 0.6 years) and older adult (n = 10, mean age = 71.3 ± 6.5 years), low income Latinos in North Fair Oaks, California. Citizen scientists conducted environmental assessments to document perceived barriers to active living using the Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool, which records GPS-tracked walking routes, photographs, audio narratives, and survey responses. Using a community-engaged approach, citizen scientists subsequently attended a community meeting to engage in advocacy training, review assessment data, prioritize issues to address and brainstorm potential solutions and partners. Citizen scientists each conducted a neighborhood environmental assessment and recorded 366 photographs and audio narratives. Adolescents (n = 4), older adults (n = 7) and community members (n = 4) collectively identified reducing trash and improving personal safety and sidewalk quality as the priority issues to address. Three adolescent and four older adult citizen scientists volunteered to present study findings to key stakeholders. This study demonstrated that with minimal training, low-income, Latino adolescent and older adult citizen scientists can: (1) use innovative technology to gather information about features of their neighborhood environment that influence active living, (2) analyze their information and identify potential solutions, and (3) engage with stakeholders to advocate for the development of healthier neighborhoods.","description":"Study showed that low-income Latino teens and older adults can gather, analyze, disseminate info about neighborhood features that affect active living.","keywords":["Aging and Longevity","Child and Adolescent Health","Environmental Exposure","Health Disparities","Health Services","Prevention and Health Maintenance"],"datePublished":"2015-07-17","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885","inLanguage":"en-US","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"PMID","value":"26184398"}],"sameAs":["https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26184398/"],"isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Immigr Minor Health"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Winter SJ"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Goldman Rosas L"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Padilla Romero P"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Sheats JL"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Buman MP"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Baker C"},{"@type":"Person","name":"King AC"}],"sourceOrganization":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute"},"about":[{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Aging and Longevity","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Aging+and+Longevity%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Child and Adolescent Health","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Child+and+Adolescent+Health%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Environmental Exposure","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Environmental+Exposure%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Health Disparities","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Health+Disparities%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Health Services","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Health+Services%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"},{"@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Prevention and Health Maintenance","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Prevention+and+Health+Maintenance%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=research_publication"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/use-citizen-scientists-gather-info-active-living-1055312885#breadcrumblist"}}} ```