image of running feet

I HAD A DREAM.

LITERALLY.

Exercise should be like brushing your teeth. Make it a daily habit.”

“

THESIS QUESTION

How can we empower residents of East Baltimore—with a focus on women—to engage in regular physical activity as a means to improve their overall health and quality of life?

?

Men are more likely than women to meet the federal guidelines for adults of at least 2.5 hours of physical ac-tivity per week

Inactive adults have a higher risk for early death, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabe-tes, depression and some can-cers; women have a particu-lar concern of breast cancer

THE FACTS

2.58th fattest, and thus veryunhealthy city in America, and cardiovas-cular disease is the leading cause of death

8th

THE FACTS—BMORE

–Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot

“ Enhancing the health of our neighborhoods is fundamental to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s vision for a healthier and growing Baltimore.”

Healthy Baltimore 2015 #10 priority area is Creating Health Promoting Neighborhoods—explore how neighborhood level factors such as vacant building density and liquor outlet density influence community health

FITNESS DESERT + LIQUOR INFLUX

THE FACTS—BMORE

fitness and healthy living are a privilege of the wealthier communities in our society

PHENOMENON

POTENTIAL CAUSES

• not a societal emphasis on proactive health —fix it later attitude• this audience is more focused on making ends meet—bigger

problems of money and housing• limited access• cigarettes are cheaper than a gym membership

PROBLEM DEFINITION

Level of Analysis Problem Definition

IndividualNot empowered or even aware of the tools of healthy living

MicroHealthy living is a learned behavior that is not being readily exemplified

MesoLimited access and emphasis on healthy living—surroundings don’t encourage it

MacroSocietal emphasis on “fitness” is geared toward the privileged and those already living happy and healthy lives—Lululemon culture

LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

LEVEL OF INTERVENTION

ownership ensures system is human-centered + drives adoption

create agents of change at the community and individual level

FITNESS+

MOBILITY

COMMUNITYINITIATIVES

HEALTHCARE

OUTDOORSPACE

SAFEPLAY

FOOD+

NUTRITION

RECREATION

Increased awareness of the transformative benefits of proactive healthy living and an easy way to engage will help activate the East Baltimore community toward an improved quality of life

THEORY OF CHANGE

EDUCATE + INCENTIVIZEexemplify that it’s easy and it’s fun

IMPACT

LITANY OF POSITIVE OUTCOMES POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

•Small bets on interventions (mindfulness at churches)

•Drive forward the design thinking process to gather insights

•Urban interventions (Candy Chang)

•Better health choices lead to better life choices

•Fosters positive social net-work; builds relationships Cognitive impacts are immense

FITNESS HAS THE

POWER TO

HEAL

FITNESS + WELLNESS HAS THE POWER TO

TRANSFORM

PRECEDENCE—Homeless World Cup

PRECEDENCE—MLK JR Medical Center Campus in LA

MODELS—Royal College of Art + Girl Hub Rwanda

• Broad audience• Not architect• Enough time

CHALLENGES & POINTS OF DIFFERENCE

• Holistic• Proactive• Involves audience

MY ASK OF YOU TODAY...• Audience focus?• At what level and how to engage?• Resource ideas?

THANKS.

And special thanks to Mike, Lee, Mira, Jonathan, and my cohorts for helping me get here