About Us
The Healthy Neighborhoods Network (HNN), based in Eastern Massachusetts, is a network of residents, community partners, and institutional partners. Our network grew out of the Healthy Neighborhoods Study (HNS), a ten-year participatory action research study. HNS was the largest resident-driven, participatory action research project in the US about neighborhood change processes, like gentrification and climate change, and their impact on health.
We believe in the expertise of the residents most harshly impacted by gentrification and climate change and of the advocates who work to address these impacts. They are exactly the leaders we need to understand these injustices and develop solutions to correct them.
We use research to fuel organizing and action for equitable development without displacement in Greater Boston. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), residents, advocates, and planners work with academic researchers to turn their lived experiences, insights, and expertise into the data, facts, and information.
Healthy Neighborhoods Network
The HNN is a partnership of community residents and organizations, academics, and government and non-profit advocates committed to advancing equitable development in Eastern Massachusetts and community leadership of this work. Together we use our knowledge, experience, and expertise to research the connections between processes that change neighborhoods (such as gentrification and climate change) and the health and well-being of the people who live there. Our network is convened by three backbone organizations: Everett Community Growers (ECG), the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF).
HNS Communities
The 9 Massachusetts communities taking part in the Healthy Neighborhoods Study are the cities of:
And the Boston neighborhoods of:
Our Team
Kathleen O’Brien
Co-Principal Investigator
Barry Keppard
Co-Principal Investigator
Vedette R. Gavin MPH, MPA
Co-Principal Investigator
Mariana C. Arcaya ScD, MPC
Co-Principal Investigator
Shinelle Kirk
Research Associate
Anisha Patil
Project Manager
Patrice Williams, PhD, MPH
PAN Network
Andi Binet PhD, MCP
Collaborative Data Analysis
Kelsey Salmon Schreck
Research Assistant
HNS Alumni
Reann Gibson MPH
Project Manager, Emeritus
Andrew Seeder MA
Research Scientist, Emeritus
Rebecca Houston- Read
Research Assistant, Emeritus
What have we done?
Since launching in 2015, HNS partners have made great strides in understanding the connections between gentrification, climate change, and health, and we’ve taken important action to advance equitable development.