Are Interventions Supporting Physical ACtivity modified by the Environment (InSPACE)?

Most youth and adults in the U.S. do not meet recommended levels of physical activity, despite the significant and extensive physical and mental health benefits associated with being sufficiently active. It is critical to population health to better understand the neighborhood built and social environment factors that influence

individuals’ access, capacity, and motivation to engage in positive health behaviors such as physical activity. The parent grant (R01HL157166; Are Interventions Supporting Physical Activity Modified by the Environment? or InSPACE) for this diversity supplement is attributing and pooling data from 50+ physical activity intervention

trials to examine whether the built and social environmental factors around individual participants’ home influence their physical activity change during intervention. The proposed post-baccalaureate diversity supplement adds the additional measures of gentrification to the existing InSPACE environmental measures in

order to 1) examine whether gentrification influences physical activity outcomes, and 2) whether gentrification effects differentially impact those with marginalized racial/ethnic identities or are lower income. Gentrification, the process of economic and other changes in historically disinvested neighborhoods, is occurring in many

U.S. cities. Understanding whether and how gentrification is related to individuals’ attempts to increase positive health behaviors could strengthen the justification for investment in disadvantaged communities and inform anti-displacement efforts. The diversity supplement candidate, Najma Abdi, recently graduated (June 2022)

from the University of Washington in Global Health. Ms. Abdi is focused on pursuing public health doctoral training in health equity among immigrant populations and particularly interested in the impact of gentrification and other environmental changes on population health. Ms. Abdi brings considerable qualitative research

experience from her undergraduate training and engagement in research. Through this diversity supplement, Ms. Abdi will receive quantitative research training and mentoring that complement her qualitative research training. Ms. Abdi will be mentored by the InSPACE investigator and research team in neighborhood

environment measurement, quantitative data processing, quantitative data analysis, and abstract and manuscript development and submission. The combination of the content of the proposed research plan and training in these quantitative research skills will facilitate the continuation of Ms. Abdi’s career on the path

toward being an action-oriented public health equity scientist.