O-58 Building healthy communities with the tripartite goal of chronic disease prevention, environmental sustainability, and engaging youth as agents of change: lessons learned and next steps
Author(s):
S Kandasamy, JA Smith, R Stendon-Strachan, M Kwan, SS Anandnett1 , D Sherifal3,4, D Desai4 , RJ De Souza1,4, T Edwards5 , S Anderson6 , G Gor
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: This research project sought to develop and
evaluate an intervention program using experience-based
co-design and the engagement of diverse partners, including a committee of youth citizen scientists, to enhance
knowledge and tools for promoting sustainable practices
and healthy active living.
Methods: Through a Community-Based Participatory Action (CBPA) study with diverse partners across Hamilton (Ontario, Canada), Calgary (Alberta, Canada), and St. Andrew (Maryland, Gordon Town, and Irish Town, Jamaica), we sought to increase 1) opportunities for environmental stewardship (including active transport); and 2) consumption of local fruits and vegetables while reducing ultra-processed food intake. Community-engaged activities included community contextual mapping and implementation of community workshops and key informant interviews. All data was integrated to refine and evaluate the proposed intervention.
Results: Across all sites, we have completed community engagement workshops (n=6), key informant interviews (n=7), community assessments (n=11), and initiated codesign workshops (n=2). The thematic analysis demonstrates opportunities to strengthen existing community resources by tailoring interventions that center the contextualities of each neighbourhood.
Conclusion: Our community engagement and co-design workshops taught us that there are ample and diverse opportunities available at the community level for the engagement of youth and other community members in developing sustainable, healthy and active living, embedded within and led directly by communities. CBPR methods are building reciprocal awareness and understanding in participating communities. The lessons learned to-date highlight the need for tailored interventions for each community, as well as the methodological approaches to implement and evaluate interventions that simultaneously promote environmentally sustainable practices and healthy active living.