RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

How Urban Interventions in Lower Socioeconomic Areas Influence Health Behaviors (UrbASanté Study)

The UrbASanté study is exploring how improvements in city areas might change people's health and lifestyle choices. Researchers are looking at a specific neighbourhood in Paris that's undergoing major redevelopment. They want to see if these urban changes affect things like how people move around, what they eat, and even the air quality and noise levels they experience. The study compares a group of people living in this changed area with another group in a similar, but unchanged, neighbourhood nearby. By doing this, they hope to understand if new parks, better housing, or improved public spaces can help people live healthier lives, feel better, and be less exposed to things like pollution.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Paris 12 Val de Marne University

Enrolment target

400

Start

01 Jun 2022

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2026

Health-Related Behavior

What is this study about?

The UrbASanté study is a research project designed to understand how big changes to a city area can affect the health and daily habits of the people living there. Imagine a part of a city that gets new parks, updated buildings, or better walkways – this is what we mean by 'urban transformations'. The researchers are particularly interested in deprived neighbourhoods, which are areas that might not have as many resources or opportunities.

This study is looking closely at a specific neighbourhood in Paris, France, that is going through these kinds of changes. They want to see if things like cleaner air, less noise, or new public spaces encourage people to be more active, eat healthier foods, or simply feel better overall. It's a bit like a natural experiment, where scientists observe what happens when a community's environment changes.

The goal is to find out if improving neighbourhoods can lead to better health for the people who live there. By understanding these links, city planners and health officials can make better decisions about how to design our cities to encourage healthier lifestyles and improve well-being for everyone.

Key takeaways

The study explores how city improvements affect residents' health.
It compares people in a redeveloped Paris area with those in an unchanged area.
Participation involves questionnaires, interviews, and possibly a food diary.
The study lasts for two years.
It does not involve any medication or new treatments.
The findings could help create healthier urban environments.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old.

There are two main groups of people the study is looking for. One group will be made up of people who live in the specific areas of Porte de la Chapelle in Paris where big city improvements are happening. The other group will be people who live in a similar area very close to Porte de la Chapelle, but where these big city changes are not taking place.

This setup allows the researchers to compare how living in an area that's being changed might affect people's health and habits, compared to living in an area that hasn't changed.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you live in the specific areas of Porte de la Chapelle, Paris, where urban improvements are happening (experimental group)?
OR do you live in an area very close to Porte de la Chapelle with no direct urban improvements (control group)?
Are you able to complete questionnaires and potentially keep a food diary?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would be asked to complete a questionnaire when you first join and then again two years later. You might also be asked to keep a food diary to track what you eat and drink, and participate in semi-structured interviews. These interviews are like guided conversations where you can share your experiences and thoughts. The study will also involve measuring the air quality and noise levels in your area. The total duration of your participation would be over two years, with assessments at the beginning and after 24 months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no significant physical risks involved in this study. The main commitment would be your time for completing questionnaires and interviews. The potential benefits include helping researchers understand how city changes affect health, which could lead to better urban planning for healthier communities in the future. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care or any benefits you might be receiving.

Locations (1)

Université Paris Est Créteil
Verified postcode
Créteil, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Porte de la Chapelle?

Porte de la Chapelle is a neighborhood in Paris, France, where the city is undergoing significant improvement projects.

Do I need to take any medicine in this study?

No, this study does not involve taking any medication. It focuses on observing how your environment affects your health.

How long will I be in the study?

If you join, you will be part of the study for about two years, with check-ins at the beginning and after 24 months.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your personal information shared during the study will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes.

What is a 'food diary'?

A food diary is simply a record you keep of what you eat and drink over a certain period, which helps researchers understand your dietary habits.

How to find out more

Helene Charreire

helene.charreire@u-pec.fr +330620604151 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.