Community Engagement Core

The Community Engagement Core (CEC) supports the mission of C4H through building and supporting the relationship of center members and the greater community. The CEC utilizes community-based research to learn about community members' awareness, perspectives, and priorities regarding environmental and climate health exposures throughout Cincinnati. We work with community and regional partners to create and support the translation of research, relevant interventions, and community education.  

Community Engagement

• STEM Camps 

  The CEC partners with the Cincinnati Museum Center to offer environmental STEM camps to elementary aged children during their summer programming. CEC leadership group undergraduate and graduate students together to create and implement lesson plans on topics such as air pollution, water pollution, extreme weather, and UV exposure. The UC students collaboratively develop hands-on and engaging lessons to help improve environmental health literacy and future interest in STEM among youth. This program also helps UC students enhance and build their health education and health communication skills. 

• Climate Cafes 

  Climate Cafes are informal gatherings designed to build relationships and trust between researchers and the community. Each climate café is focused on a different environmental or climate health topic, such as air pollution, extreme weather, and water pollution. This is a time for community members to share their experiences, perspectives, and needs with researchers. The researchers are there to listen, support, and empower the community. 

• Community Events and Guest Speaking

  The CEC attends and tables at many community events around Cincinnati to help spread awareness and educational resources on climate health through conversation, activities, and information sheets. The CEC has a rotating collection of environmental health handouts that can be tailored to the location, time of year, and community identified needs. These sheets offer definitions, signs and symptoms, explanations of the connection between environmental exposures and human health, as well as resources for more information. 

Community Advisory Board

The CEC receives insight from the Community Advisory Board (CAB). Our CAB is comprised of a diverse range of individuals, stakeholders, and organizations that represent the Cincinnati community. They assist with:

• Identifying areas of concern, needs, or priorities of the community

• Recommendations on projects, research, and interventions

• Networking and collaboration opportunities

   

  Please contact Abby Cuyler (cuyleram@ucmail.uc.edu) if you are interested in learning more about the CAB!

CEC Leadership Team