On April 10, 2015, two team members represented the BEACH Lab at Graduate Student Day at the University of South Carolina.
David Gallerani gave a poster presentation involving mobile technology in youth empowerment for healthy community change as part of the eCPAT Project. Within this qualitative study, David examined youth-based focus groups from Greenville County, South Carolina to assess youth experiences while conducting park audits. Overall, this study explored the perceptions and experience of using technology in the auditing of parks and what effect was present on post-project levels of empowerment and youth advocacy in the realm of healthy community change. Future research is still underway to further explore youth’s viewpoint on potential application of the data collected through the audits to support the effectiveness of similar programs aimed at increasing youth involvement in community PSE change efforts.
David presenting research on the eCPAT project
Heather Henderson gave an oral presentation about the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and mental health outcomes. Specifically, she examined the influence of neighborhood safety and aesthetics on perceived stress levels. Her study was a part of the Greenville Healthy Neighborhoods Project, which examined the relationship between physical and social environment factors and health outcomes in eight historically disadvantaged communities in Greenville, SC. Heather hopes to present this research at upcoming conferences related to the built environment and health.
Heather presenting research on mental health as part of the Greenville Healthy Neighborhoods Project
Way to go, team!