Qualitative study highlights community-led strategies to clean air

In Boyle Heights, a predominantly Hispanic/Latino neighborhood, residents are disproportionately exposed to toxic air pollution, which is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases such as asthma and death.

The Natural Park Air Pollution Solution seeks to address these health disparities by bringing together Boyle Heights community members, many of whom have deep ties to their neighborhoods, to develop air pollution mitigation strategies.

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Justice examined what motivated these organizers and the hurdles they faced in their citizen engagement efforts.

Research findings highlight that civic engagement is influenced by factors at multiple levels, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community-based factors. Addressing barriers and leveraging strengths at each of these levels will enable residents of marginalized communities like Boyle Heights to more effectively advocate for environmental justice.

The study was conducted by public health researchers including Brittany Morley, Sola Park Tanjasiri, and Alana Lebron, all faculty members in the Department of Health, Social, and Behavioral Sciences at the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health. Co-authored by a team of people. — with corresponding author Connie Valencia, a recent graduate of the Wen Public Health doctoral program. in public health programs.

The team conducted qualitative interviews with more than 20 participants. All participants were involved with the Natural Park Air Pollution Solutions Project and were current or former residents of Boyle Heights. This study utilized a flexible coding method to identify four themes related to project participation: (a) personal factors and civic engagement, (b) interpersonal relationships, (c) organizational support, and ( d) Community-based resources are revealed.

For many, the desire to protect their families and neighbors was a powerful motivator. However, personal responsibilities such as balancing work and caregiving often made continued engagement difficult. Despite these challenges, relationships within the community served as an important source of encouragement and support.

Institutional support also played an important role. Through this project, organizers gained valuable training, access to information, and the opportunity to develop leadership skills. These resources helped participants feel empowered and prepared to take action. Additionally, partnerships with local organizations and elected officials provided critical support in advancing advocacy goals.

“By addressing barriers and leveraging strengths at every level, residents of neighborhoods like Boyle Heights that are disproportionately impacted by pollution can be more empowered to advocate for environmental justice.” , explains Morley, who served as Dr. Valencia’s supervisor during his Ph.D.

“This study is a reminder of the resilience and dedication of communities in the fight for cleaner air, and of the grassroots efforts to ensure all communities have the resources they need to thrive. We also emphasize the need for sustained investment in initiatives and institutional support,” added Valencia. He currently serves as a Sustainability Solutions Community Engagement Fellow at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.