Our Voice: Citizen Science Promoting Health for All
The Our Voice Initiative activates the power of people as change agents to build healthier and more vibrant communities. Using the Our Voice Discovery Tool mobile app, local “citizen scientists” document features of their communities that impact their ability to lead healthy lives. They then review their own findings, prioritize areas for change, and mobilize to promote improvements that will support community health.
Our Voice Short Videos
Our Voice
Overview
How Our Voice
Projects Work
Our Voice
Impacts
For more videos, visit the Our Voice YouTube channel!
Our Voice in Action
Citizen Science in Action: The Our Voice Method in Cartagena
Adolescent citizen scientists from El Pozón used the Discovery Tool to identify aspects of their community that diminish and facilitate health and well-being. They discussed their findings and prioritized the projects to carry out. They used Artificial Intelligence to enhance their solutions and to prepare them to present their findings to stakeholders and decision-makers.
A Citizen Scientist in Her Own Words
Pam Jiner is a Citizen Scientist and “Street Fighter” who has used the power of data to advocate for infrastructure improvements in her Denver, Colorado community. Through her work as a Program Director for Montebello Walks and as a member of GirlTrek, Pam has engaged over a hundred community members to take action. Pam presented her work at the 2021 APHA conference.
A Community Collaborator Shares Her Perspective
Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, Executive Director of SOMOS Mayfair in East San José, speaks about the Our Voice collaboration that helped to shape the organization’s Equity Platform. SOMOS Mayfair supports children, organizes families, and connects neighbors to uplift the dreams, power, and leadership of community and address systemic inequities.
Our Beginnings: The NEATT Study
In late 2010, researchers from the Stanford Prevention Research Center identified a number of challenges to healthful living for seniors. In response, the center established Neighborhood Eating and Activity Advocacy Teams (NEATT) to organize seniors and improve their access to healthful food.