Building youth power and environmental health literacy with environmental justice communities in rural Arizona.

INTRODUCTION

Resource extraction poses a substantial environmental justice problem globally. Community-based efforts to increase environmental health literacy have been linked with reducing exposure and increasing positive health outcomes. However, there is a gap in community-based environmental justice work centering around the education and needs of youth in rural communities.

METHODS

Using frameworks of environmental health literacy, an Ecological Model of Health, and Funds of Knowledge, we facilitated the ongoing STEAM in Action project, where we hosted two community-based youth environmental health trainings in environmental justice communities in rural Arizona. Photovoice, poster activities, environmental monitoring, data visualization, participant observation, pre- and post-surveys, focus groups, and follow-up interviews were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to understand youth environmental health literacy, concerns, and capacity for action.

RESULTS

Survey results indicated that 83% (n = 36) of youth's motivation to take action increased as a result of the training. Environmental health literacy was demonstrated by youth's knowledge and awareness of local environmental issues and solutions, highlighting environmental pollution from littering and industry, health issues like drug use, and a culture of stubbornness. Unique activities like Photovoice, environmental monitoring, and data visualization provided youth hands-on experiences to increase environmental health literacy.

DISCUSSION: Trainings through the "STEAM in Action" project allowed youth to surface taboo issues in their towns, while building the knowledge and skills to understand and address environmental justice issues in their communities. Future work will build out advisory boards, critical consciousness, and environmental justice trainings in service of collective action to affect community change.