Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40164938›Full record

ReviewCurrent environmental health reports2025

The Role of Community Science in Addressing Policy Change: A Critical Review of Air Pollution Literature.

Emilia Oscilowicz, Guadalupe A Solís, Laura Martinez, Jeremy Németh, Gregory L Simon, Carrie Makarewicz, Katherine L Dickinson, Lisa M Mckenzie, Jean Scandlyn, Paulina Erices-Ocampo and 2 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current environmental health reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Emilia OscilowiczDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver, 1250 14 St Denver, 80202, Denver, CO, USA. Emilia.oscilowicz@ucdenver.edu.
Guadalupe A Solís, Cultivando, Denver, CO, USA.
Laura Martinez, Cultivando, Denver, CO, USA.
Jeremy NémethDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver, 1250 14 St Denver, 80202, Denver, CO, USA.
Gregory L SimonGeography and Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
Carrie MakarewiczDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver, 1250 14 St Denver, 80202, Denver, CO, USA.
Katherine L DickinsonColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Lisa M MckenzieColorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Jean ScandlynDepartment of Anthropology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
Paulina Erices-OcampoDepartment of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
Patrick L KinneySchool of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Priyanka DeSouzaDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver, 1250 14 St Denver, 80202, Denver, CO, USA. priyanka.desouza@ucdenver.edu.

Funding

NASA 21-EEJ21-0064
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCommunity air pollution science serves as a vital tool in public health and urban planning, enabling communities to advocate for policy changes that improve public health outcomes. Despite its potential, there is a noticeable gap in translating research findings into policy actions.

objectivesThis review aims to assess the focus of studies on community air pollution science published between 1990-2023 and identify the extent to which these studies address the research-to-policy gap.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive review of 131 studies that utilize low-cost sensors for monitoring air pollution. The review specifically looked for how these studies contribute to bridging the research-to-policy gap.

resultsOur findings indicate a significant emphasis on evaluating the performance of low-cost sensors, with 90% of the studies centered on this aspect. Only 10% of the studies explicitly aimed at addressing the research-to-policy gap. Among these, 10 studies employed distinct theories of change to tackle this issue effectively.

conclusionThere is a critical need for a paradigm shift in community science research to enhance the impact of scientific findings on policy-making. This shift should include strategies such as equitable sensor distribution, a broader focus on regions in the Global South, and proactive engagement with policymakers from the early stages of research. RECOMMENDATIONS: Future research should prioritize closing the research-to-policy gap by incorporating these strategies to ensure that community air pollution science fully realizes its potential in shaping public health policies.

Indexed as

Air PollutionEnvironmental MonitoringHealth PolicyHumansPolicy MakingPublic HealthCommunity air pollution scienceLow-cost sensor performanceResearch-to-policy gapTheories of changeUrban planning policy

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.