Assessing environmental factors for safer routes to school.
Routes to Environmental Justice: Assessment of Ambient Environmental Exposures for Safe Routes to School Programs
This study looks at how hot weather affects how much kids move around when they walk or bike to school, especially in neighborhoods that might not have great sidewalks or bike paths, and it aims to find ways to make those trips healthier and safer for children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10902021 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental conditions, particularly heat exposure, affect children's physical activity levels while commuting to school. It focuses on the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to improve infrastructure like sidewalks and bike lanes to encourage active commuting. By measuring ambient temperatures and using advanced modeling techniques, the study seeks to understand the barriers that high temperatures pose for children, especially in underserved communities. The findings will help inform strategies to create healthier commuting environments for school-age children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 6-11, particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods or communities of color in Texas.
Not a fit: Patients who do not live in areas affected by high ambient temperatures or who are not school-aged children may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety and increased physical activity for children commuting to school, ultimately reducing health risks associated with inactivity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving infrastructure for active commuting can increase physical activity levels among children, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lanza, Kevin Lai — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Lanza, Kevin Lai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.