Grant: Operating Grant: Knowledge to Action

<html> <body> <p> <strong>Objectives</strong> <br> The aim of the proposed KTA initiative, and the Ontario-wide RentSafe initiative in which it is embedded, is to <strong>move scientific knowledge about indoor environmental health risks into action to reduce health inequities</strong> among low-income tenants. RentSafe research findings^1,2 reveal significant KTA gaps and confirm that lack of knowledge is but one impediment to tenants&rsquo; ability to secure healthier housing conditions. We will undertake two interrelated interventions designed to:&nbsp;<br>(1) create the conditions necessary for tenants to act upon knowledge of housing-related health risks and<br>(2) optimize the health/social services system&rsquo;s responsiveness to such concerns.</p> <p>Drawing upon diverse expertise in RentSafe, we will explore whether and how <strong>investment in human interaction</strong> via (1) tenant-led peer outreach and (2) increased professional connections among service providers can improve tenant self-advocacy and intersectoral system responsiveness.<br> <br> <strong>Background</strong> <br> Environmental health risks in housing can have a profound impact on residents&rsquo; health. Robust scientific evidence links housing-related exposures with multiple health risks: mould and asthma,^3,13 radon and lung cancer,^4,&nbsp;lead and IQ decrements in children,⁵ inadequate cooling and heat stress,⁶ among others. These links underscore the important role of housing <em>quality</em> as a determinant of health, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.⁷ Despite concerted efforts to promote public knowledge and the preventable nature of these risks, housing-related exposures continue to exacerbate health inequities.<br> <br> Multiple health and social services agencies have roles in mitigating housing-related health risks. Baseline research conducted through our Trillium-funded RentSafe initiative, led by the Canadian Partnership for Children&rsquo;s Health &amp; Environment (CPCHE), points to two key gaps in knowledge-to-action on housing-related health risks. First is a lack of empowerment among tenants, stemming from factors such as fear of eviction, cultural and linguistic barriers and lack of knowledge of their rights. Second is the inadequate flow of information and collaborative links among health/social service providers.<br> <br> <strong>Methodology</strong> <br> We will conduct two interventions to assess the value of investing in human relationships^9,10,11&nbsp;as an actionable means of fostering tenant self-advocacy and improving system responsiveness:<br> (1) Design and conduct tenant-led peer outreach on housing-related health risks in Owen Sound (a RentSafe site);<br> (2) Convene local stakeholders to critically examine the current flow of information/assistance in response to housing-related health concerns and identify ways to optimize coordination and impact, via a curriculum informed by our novel <strong>equity-focused KT (EqKT)</strong> framework¹¹ and 2011 CIHR-funded Knowledge Leaders training pilot¹² which targeted barriers to intersectoral action through human relations and experiential learning.<br> </p> <p>We will evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions through pre-/post- surveys, participant journals, focus groups and social network mapping.<br> <br> <strong>Anticipated results</strong> <br> The proposed pilot-scale initiative will:<br> </p> <ul> <li>assess the value of investing in human relations between tenants (peer-to-peer) and among service professionals (human connections within institutional networks) as a strategy for improving local/regional systems for addressing housing-related health risks; and</li> <li>inform RentSafe next steps and replicable action across Ontario and elsewhere.</li> </ul> </body> </html>