Case-comparison study protocol for gauging effects of neighbourhood trends and sickness: examining the perceptions of transit-Induced gentrification in Prince George’s County

Abstract

IntroductionImpoverished neighbourhoods and communities of colour often bear the brunt of unintended transit-oriented development (TOD) impacts. These impacts have been known to come in the form of transit-induced gentrification (TIG), a socioeconomic by-product of TOD defined as a phenomenon that occurs when the provision of transit service, particularly light rail transit (LRT), ‘up-scales’ nearby neighbourhood(s) and displaces existing residents. Consequently, TIG or even the perception of TIG can impact health outcomes (eg, anxiety) and social determinants of health (SDOH) (eg, crime).Methods/AnalysisIn 2022, the purple line (PL), a 16.2 mile LRT line, is opening in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC, comprised of over 80% African American and Hispanic residents. By taking advantage of this natural experiment, we are proposing the GENTS (Gauging Effects of Neighborhood Trends and Sickness: Examining the Perceptions of Transit-Induced Gentrification in Prince George’s County) Study in order to evaluate perceived TIG and associated health outcome and SDOH changes, at two points in time, among Prince George’s County adults in a prospective case-comparison design during the pre-PL LRT period. Descriptive analysis and latent growth curve modelling will be used to examine these changes over time.Ethics and DisseminationEthics approval has been granted by the University of Maryland Institutional Review Board. The GENTS Study will identify temporal changes in perceived TIG, health outcomes and SDOH among case and comparison residents before the completion and operation of the PL LRT, an under researched period of TOD. The dissemination of GENTS Study findings will be able to address research questions and policy issues that are specifically tailored to PG County while also providing more effective procedural solutions for other regions undergoing TOD and TIG risks.

Gentrification and Air Quality in a Large Urban County in the United States

“…Gentrification has resulted in the displacement of residents from these areas to surrounding zip codes [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. These areas have experienced lower levels or limited gentrification resulting in a continued lack of availability of quality housing and healthy food options.…”

Gentrification and Air Quality in a Large Urban County in the United States

“…Gentri cation has resulted in displacement of residents from these areas to surrounding zip codes [24][25][26] .…”

Centering Health Equity Through the Social Determinants of Health, Interprofessional Education, and Sustainable Partnerships With Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Envisioning Upstream and Downstream Impacts

“…and racialized impacts on overall social and economic stability, access to high-quality education, and participation in healthy neighborhoods and quality healthcare practices (HHS, n.d.-a). For example, Communities of Color have less access to safe housing and high-paying job opportunities (Roberts et al, 2020), in many instances coupled with a higher likelihood of limited English language skills and low literacy (HHS, n. Universities with nursing programs must collaborate across disciplines to better understand the histories that create and compound multiple forms of racial inequity. Such collaboration can inspire innovations in curriculum and IPE experiences using SDOH to cocreate new narratives around health and health equity.…”

“…The SDOH framework heightens awareness of disparate and racialized impacts on overall social and economic stability, access to high-quality education, and participation in healthy neighborhoods and quality healthcare practices (HHS, n.d.-a). For example, Communities of Color have less access to safe housing and high-paying job opportunities (Roberts et al, 2020), in many instances coupled with a higher likelihood of limited English language skills and low literacy (HHS, n.d.-b), resulting in lower overall quality of health. Patient care and healthcare education must center the perspectives of different cultural groups with cultural humility and mutual respect as critical tenets of culturally competent care by all disciplines.…”