Residents’ perspectives essential for creating healthy neighborhoods in deprived areas

Abstract

Abstract Background Health inequality is related to socio-economic differences as people living in deprived neighborhoods show more social and health problems resulting in more sick years and shorter life expectancy. This however has predominantly been studied from the perspective of health and wellbeing professionals, not from the perspective of residents. Interventions based on these professionals' perspectives appear to have little sustainable effects on health and wellbeing, which might be (partly) explained by not matching residents' perspectives. Aim of the present study is mapping perspectives of residents, letting them mobilize their assets and generating their own (sustainable) activities. Methods Using the Triple-I action research method, residents' assets and perspectives were mapped in deprived neighborhoods in Breda (N = 12) and Oss (N = 23). Subsequently, residents were motivated to organize activities themselves using their assets which were monitored and described. Results In both cities similar results were found. First, residents mention their ability to organize activities, wanting to “meet each other”, “doing activities together”, being “self-reliant”, “inclusive” and “multicultural”. Second, they want to run a community centre with no or little interference of health and wellbeing professionals with the stating argument: “they should first learn how to communicate between each other and with clients”. Third, residents want to create “a green clean and safe surrounding”, while safety was more an issue in Breda than in Oss. In both cities this resulted in a self-run community centre with in Oss over 30 activities involving weekly over 300 residents and in Breda over 8 activities involving over 60 residents. Discussion Present study shows that including the residents' perspective and involving their assets and participation are important elements in interventions improving health and wellbeing. However, a longitudinal follow-up is necessary for showing sustainability. Key messages Including residents' perspective in developing healthy neigborhoods is an essential element. Most important elements in deprived neighborhoods is the ability to meet other residents and feeling connected and useful.