TheArab AmericanEnvironmentalHealth Project

ACCESSArab Community Center

A partnership between

Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services(ACCESS)/Community Health & Research CenterandUniversity of Michigan School of Public Health

Kathryn Savoie, Ph.D. or Hikmet Jamil, MD., Ph.D.ACCESS Community Health & Research Center/Environmental Program2651 Saulino CourtDearborn, MI 48120313.843.2844ksavoie@accesscommunity.org

Project StaffPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:

Adnan Hammad, Ph.D. Director, ACCESS Community Health & Research CenterKathryn Savoie, Ph.D. Director, ACCESS Community Health & Research Center/

Environmental ProgramJerome Nriagu, Ph.D. Professor, School of Public Health, University of MichiganEdwin Pierce, M.D. Physician, ACCESS Community Health & Research Center

PROJECT COORDINATOR:

Hikmet Jamil, M.D., Ph.D. ACCESS Community Health & Research Center/Environmental Program, and Wayne State University

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTSat ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTER/ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM:

Thar Al-Baage, M.D. Shadi Oweis, M.D.Fawzi Misho, M.D. Saud Misho, M.D.Mrs. Iman Hashim

ACCESSCommunityHealth &ResearchCenter/EnvironmentalProgram

The purpose of the ArabCommunity Center forEconomic and SocialServices (ACCESS)Environmental Program isto create greaterenvironmental awarenessin the Arab Americancommunity inSoutheastern Michigan,and to promotecommunity involvement inaddressing environmentalissues that affect thecommunity’s health andquality of life. The ACCESSEnvironmental Programengages in research,community education, andadvocacy towards thefulfillment of these goals.

Interested in more information on this project?

This publication was made possible by Grant #1 R25 10003-01A1 from the National Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences (NIEHS), NIH.

What is the Arab American Environmental Health Project?The Arab American Environmental Health Project is a four-year projectintended to improve the health of Arab American communities in the MetroDetroit area by increasing environmental health awareness and reducingenvironmental hazards. The project is a partnership between the ArabCommunity Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and theUniversity of Michigan School of Public Health.

Why is Environmental Health a Concern for the Arab Americancommunity?Environmental health is the connection between the quality of yourenvironment, and its impact on your health. In many ways your environmentis your health. Environmental health has to do a lot with your personalenvironment – the air you breathe, the food you eat, the house you live in,and your individual health habits. Therefore, the environmental quality inyour household, your neighborhood, and your community ultimately affectsyour health and the health of your family.

The Arab AmericanEnvironmental Health Project

“This project will contributesignificantly to improvedhealth of Arab Americancommunities in MetroDetroit.”Adnan Hammad, Ph.D.,Director, ACCESS CommunityHealth & Research Center

The Metro Detroit area is home to the largest Arab population in NorthAmerica, recently estimated at 274,000 by Zogby International. Environmentalhealth of Arab Americans in Metro Detroit is a concern for several reasons.First, numerous studies have shown that minority communities, andimmigrant communities have greater exposures to environmental hazards. Secondly, ACCESS’ previous research with the University of Michiganshowed higher than average rates of respiratory problems in Arab Americansin South and East Dearborn, which may be related to environmental quality.Low-income, new immigrant communities, and those living in highly urban,industrialized areas are at greatest risk for environmental exposures – in thehome, in the workplace, and in their communities.

What is Environmental Justice?Environmental injustice occurs when a community bears the unfair burdenof environmental hazards, such as air and water pollution, household leadpoisoning, and unsafe workplace conditions. Environmental justice is theright for all people to live, work and play in a safe, healthy environment.Environmental justice means all communities have equal protection underlaws designed to protect the health and environment of communities. TheArab American Environmental Health Project promotes environmentaljustice by building partnerships to ensure environmental protection andhealth of the Arab American community.

“Environmental Justice is theright of all people to live, work,and play in a safe, healthyenvironment. This projectpromotes environmental justiceby ensuring environmentalprotection and health of theArab American community.”Rosina Hassoun, Ph.D.,Michigan State University

What is Community-Based Participatory Research?The Arab American Environmental Health Project uses a “community-based, participatory” model of research. In this research method, thecommunity is not just being studied, it is actually involved with the researchersin conducting research and/or interventions within their community setting.

Community-based participatory research engages community members inthe all aspects of the decision-making process. This means that communitymembers help to define the research questions, design and implement theproject, and evaluate its outcomes. Community members play a key role indeciding how the results are used and communicated to other members ofthe community. This research approach ensures that the research is sensitiveto the community’s needs – that is, the information collected answers questionsof importance to the community, and the research is conducted in a culturallysensitive manner.

The Arab American Environmental Health Project ensures participationfrom members of Arab American communities in Metro Detroit through theestablishment of a Community Council, which includes members fromvarious religious, community, neighborhood, health, business, and educationalorganizations.

“Community-based participatoryresearch engages members inall aspects of the researchprocess. This ensures that theresearch is sensitive to thecommunity’s needs and theinformation collected answersimportant questions.”Jerome Nriagu, Ph.D., Professor,School of Public Health,University of Michigan

What will the Arab American Environmental Health Projectaccomplish?The community has identified air pollution, respiratory disease, and excessivetruck traffic and exhaust as the most significant environmental health concernsfor Arab Americans in Metro Detroit. Through focus group discussions,household intervention, and use of community media, we will assess theimpact of these environmental health hazards on the health of the ArabAmerican community, and develop a bilingual environmental health educationcampaign to provide useful information on these issues.

We hope to empower community members to discover what they can do toimprove the environmental health of their household, their neighborhood,and their community.

“We hope to empower communitymembers to discover what theycan do to improve theenvironmental health of theirhousehold, their neighborhood,and their community.”Kathryn Savoie, Ph.D.,Environmental ProgramDirector, ACCESS

ACCESSArab Community Center