Community voice
by Regan Murray One of the efforts of Public Health in Action is to highlight the work of professors and describe how their research provides a platform for advocacy and discussing public health issues. This month, we've chosen to feature the research interests of Dr. Yvonne Michael and the Home Preservation Initiative (HPI) which are collaborating in effort to help determine if improved housing correlates to improved health status within the communities of focus. Housing and the conditions in which people live can strongly influence health. To help alleviate the stressors that poor housing can have upon an individual and family, HPI provides services in the realm of home repair and weatherization to low-income homeowners in Mantua. This area, a neighborhood falling within the Promise Zone in West Philadelphia, has a great demand for the services provided by HPI and their partners. The group is a collaborative effort that includes involvement from Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, We Are Mantua and LISC. Together they strive to create safer, healthier and more efficient homes while also improving the neighborhood by increasing housing stock, homeownership and investing in beautification. As a part of the greater HPI vision, Dr. Michael is joining the partners to help make a strong case that home repairs can influence health outcomes by building a data set that provides evidence for their goal to scale up the initiative. Dr. Michael brings an informed mindset as well as the support of the School of Public Health to the proposed research plan. The main objective of data collection is to use both qualitative and quantitative data to assist in finding a measurable effect on health as a result of improved housing. The initial steps of research involve a qualitative analysis with in-depth interviews directed towards community members at various stages along the HPI trajectory (those who have had work on their homes finished, those awaiting services, and those in the application process). Conversation topics include community member’s perceptions of their neighborhoods and homes, and how they feel their homes and environment impact their health. Once areas of significance arise, a quantitative phase begins with a randomized controlled trial utilizing pre- and post- testing to evaluate how health outcomes play out for community members who receive the home repair services versus those who do not. A major component of Dr. Michael’s research design is to develop an appropriate qualitative research protocol in order to work effectively with the community with the goal of equal partnership in the design process. Community stakeholders and researchers have been working to align goals and thoughts on the project moving forward. It is with coordinated support that the proposed project will be placed before the Internal Review Board with the initial phase of research beginning in February. One concern being addressed is that the Mantua community often feels over-studied by the Drexel community and other research institutions. Involving community members in the project design and keeping all stakeholders informed each step of the way will allow the project to produce reliable data. In addition, working closely with strong, trusted connections such as Habitat for Humanity who produced tangible, long-lasting improvements, the community can benefit from the wealth of information learned through this research initiative. Dr. Michael is hoping the initial phase of research may lead to the development of a larger program, and could inform an experimental design to quantify the benefits of housing improvements on health at a grander scale. This research has policy implications, and data rendered from the surveys will provide concrete evidence for the program’s effectiveness. The tangible health benefits of home repair could foster more positive discussions and proactive policies to support service providers like HPI and increase their resource base to better serve neighborhoods and communities in need. The knowledge provided by this data can be used to leverage funding and policy from which communities, both in Philadelphia and nationally, can benefit. Qualitative data is a powerful tool that provides a voice to individuals and describes real experiences that show the true successes of such services. These stories can be used to advocate for greater funding and more beneficial policies at the local level. The data unearthed throughout the course of the surveys will allow community partners such as HPI, to target policies that are most relevant to their work in the advocacy arena at a national level. Health is a justification for policy and funding, and it is with those goals in mind that research will inform our public health responses to identify the impact that housing repairs have on health outcomes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Yvonne Michael is an associate professor in Epidemiology as well as the Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs. Dr. Michael can be reached at [email protected]. Committed, motivated students who are interested in this housing-focused research and the qualitative collection will undergo training, providing skills for interviewing community members and qualitative collection. It is a potential opportunity for Practicum and CBMP projects. As a result of this research Dr. Michael has incorporated Habitat for Humanity as a community partner in her 2nd year required course on Applied Survey Research. This class provides the opportunity to conduct a hands on survey project from beginning to end, allowing students to collect useful health information for Habitat for Humanity. Leave a Reply. |
Who Can Contribute?Community Voice authorship is shared by diverse members of the Public Health and Philadelphia communities. Archives
March 2017
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