EnQ LLC — Department of Health and Human Services STTR Phase I: NCI

Description

Project Summary Abstract Quality parks provide numerous benefits to individuals and communitiesincluding health cost savings through physical activity and stress reliefincreased tax revenue via augmented property values and attracting businessesand positive social and environmental impacts through outcomes such as civic pride and pollution controlThe Community Park Audit ToolCPATprovides a comprehensive yet user friendly means of engaging diverse stakeholders in the process of evaluating and improving local parks to achieve these benefitsMore recentlywe developed an initial electronic app version of the CPATeCPATand have conducted extensive beta testing with project and workshop participantse gyouthpublic health researcherspark professionalseCPAT has been very well received throughout these preliminary effortsbut they have also identified important improvements to the app and associated infrastructure that are needed to satisfy the demands of a multitude of interested user groups and support commercializationThereforethe two related aims of this proposal areTo develop and advance eCPAT mobile technology and infrastructure for broader use by diverse populationsandTo conduct feasibility testing and examine the utility of the eCPAT system with diverse user groupsTo accomplish these aimswe will build on our teamandapos s vast expertise in parks and recreationtechnology developmentpublic healthand entrepreneurship to integrate additional innovative features within the eCPAT appe gcameraGISsocial media connectivityas well as develop robust access and database infrastructure to ensure scalability and securityWe will then engagestakeholders from a variety of fieldspublic parks and recreation agenciesparks and public health researcherscitizenshealth care professionalsreal estate investors agentsin workshops to test the enhanced eCPAT app and system and to examine strategies for commercialization and disseminationAdvancement of eCPAT represents an innovative opportunityin a substantial market with no current competitorsto capitalize on the benefits of electronic data collection and to facilitate the integration of these data with other emerging technologies to support individualorganizationaland community decision makingThe eCPAT app and system can be used by parks and recreation agencies in communities across the U Sto standardize park data collection and managementby researchers conducting studies about the built environmentparksand related outcomes such as physical activity and obesityby citizens conducting grassroots advocacy and desiring to communicate park information to officials and fellow residentsby health care professionals participating in rapidly growing park prescriptions initiatives that recommend parks as destinations for health promotionand by real estate agents and investors working to showcase the park resources in a neighborhoodThese and other user groups illustrate eCPATandapos s significant commercial potential and capacity for improving the value of public parks to community engagementeconomic prosperityand health Project Narrative The proposed research is relevant to public health because it will advance a tool and system for researchersparks and public health professionalsand citizens that can aid in better evaluatingimprovingand encouraging use of public parks for physical activityThereforethis project is relevant to the mission of NIH and the National Cancer Institute by enhancing park systems in communities and park use among diverse residentswhich can lead to health benefits such as increased physical activity participationreduced stress and illnessimproved social connectionsobesity preventionand chronic disease mitigation