Increasing community engagement in Latino residents to improve health outcomes

Community and park planners have made improvements to the built environment in order to positively influence health outcomes. An important component of improving the built environment includes engaging community members in the planning process. Yet, attempts to include community members have not always been successful, as the case of Latinos living in the U.S. demonstrates (e.g. Rowel, Sheikhattari, Barber, and Evans-Holland. 2012. “Introduction of a Guide to Enhance Risk Communication among Low-income and Minority Populations: A Grassroots Community Engagement Approach.” Health Promotion Practice 13 (1): 124–132; Schulz 2006). The limited engagement among Latinos has been explained by their low-income and ethnic status, which prioritises employment and family matters, respectively. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine community engagement among Latinos of Mexican descent. Specifically, the research objective for the study was to identify the specific strategies and tactics utilised by a grassroots nonprofit organisation to engage Latino residents to advocate for more equitable green space in their neighbourhood. In addressing the research question, the study utilised a case-study approach focused on Chicago’s Little Village neighbourhood. Data were collected via individual interviews and the information was gathered through historical and archival documents, websites, and participant observations during community meetings. Findings revealed that community organizing, democratic leadership, and an anti-racist stance were instrumental in engaging residents.