Dr Verity Cleland & Dr Kim Jose - Walkability in Rural Communities : Citizen science highlights connectivity as key to active living
Australians who live in rural areas are less active than people who live in urban areas, which can impact on their health and wellbeing. We worked with community members (Citizen Scientists) in three Tasmanian rural towns to identify what features of their town impacted on walking and to identify priority areas for action. Community members were involved in all aspects of the research process. Improved connectivity between existing town features and trails was the highest priority, enhancing walkability and social cohesion.
Dr Verity Cleland - Dr Verity Cleland is an Associate Professor at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. She is a behavioural epidemiologist, has a background in health promotion, and has main research interests in understanding and promoting physical activity.
Her work has often focused on groups at high risk of inactivity including women, those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage and rural communities. Verity holds funding from the Heart Foundation of Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund. She is a member of local, national and international review panels and local advisory committees, including Deputy Chair of the Tasmanian Premier’s Health and Wellbeing Advisory Council.
Dr Kim Jose – Dr Kim Jose is a senior research fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. Her public health research focuses on understanding and addressing the complex health and social issues facing Tasmanians and building an evidence base for effective policy development and practice across a range of issues, including physical activity.
Her work has focused on improving the health and wellbeing of young people and vulnerable members of the community and wherever possible she builds community participation into research processes.