Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research
BackgroundPets are increasingly seen as members of the family unit in U.S. households. To advance health equity and improve health service providers’ understanding of how to best support pet owners, this study aimed to understand the priorities and barriers to human and companion animal (pet) well-b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1539811/full |
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| author | Celeste Morales Miguel Ruelas Terryl Daluz Elizabeth Analco Nicole Vera Janet Rivera Megan Covington Sloane M. Hawes |
| author_facet | Celeste Morales Miguel Ruelas Terryl Daluz Elizabeth Analco Nicole Vera Janet Rivera Megan Covington Sloane M. Hawes |
| author_sort | Celeste Morales |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundPets are increasingly seen as members of the family unit in U.S. households. To advance health equity and improve health service providers’ understanding of how to best support pet owners, this study aimed to understand the priorities and barriers to human and companion animal (pet) well-being services and resources in Los Angeles County, CA, USA.MethodsA community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used to conduct five semi-structured focus groups in May 2024 with 27 pet owners in Los Angeles County, CA, USA. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach.ResultsSeveral themes for improving health services for people and pets were identified, including: understanding community-specific priorities for people and pets in Los Angeles County; addressing barriers to services and information for people and pets; addressing the need for affordable pet inclusive housing and tenants rights; and addressing the need for improved access to pet inclusive green spaces and environmental justice. The participants shared about the importance of mutual aid and collective care when faced with a lack of access to services.DiscussionThese findings can be used across health services to inform the development of equitable, accessible, and community-specific solutions that improve the quality of life for both people and their pets in Los Angeles County, CA, USA. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d8704e479e1a4ce9a173fca328d95af0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-d8704e479e1a4ce9a173fca328d95af02025-08-20T02:09:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-06-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15398111539811Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory researchCeleste Morales0Miguel Ruelas1Terryl Daluz2Elizabeth Analco3Nicole Vera4Janet Rivera5Megan Covington6Sloane M. Hawes7Research and Development Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, Baltimore, MD, United StatesResearch and Development Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, Baltimore, MD, United StatesLoving Paws, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, United StatesCommunities for a Better Environment, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesCommunities for a Better Environment, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesIndependent Researcher, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesResearch and Development Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, Baltimore, MD, United StatesResearch and Development Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity, Baltimore, MD, United StatesBackgroundPets are increasingly seen as members of the family unit in U.S. households. To advance health equity and improve health service providers’ understanding of how to best support pet owners, this study aimed to understand the priorities and barriers to human and companion animal (pet) well-being services and resources in Los Angeles County, CA, USA.MethodsA community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used to conduct five semi-structured focus groups in May 2024 with 27 pet owners in Los Angeles County, CA, USA. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach.ResultsSeveral themes for improving health services for people and pets were identified, including: understanding community-specific priorities for people and pets in Los Angeles County; addressing barriers to services and information for people and pets; addressing the need for affordable pet inclusive housing and tenants rights; and addressing the need for improved access to pet inclusive green spaces and environmental justice. The participants shared about the importance of mutual aid and collective care when faced with a lack of access to services.DiscussionThese findings can be used across health services to inform the development of equitable, accessible, and community-specific solutions that improve the quality of life for both people and their pets in Los Angeles County, CA, USA.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1539811/fullpetshealth equityhousingenvironmental justicetrauma-informed care |
| spellingShingle | Celeste Morales Miguel Ruelas Terryl Daluz Elizabeth Analco Nicole Vera Janet Rivera Megan Covington Sloane M. Hawes Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research Frontiers in Veterinary Science pets health equity housing environmental justice trauma-informed care |
| title | Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research |
| title_full | Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research |
| title_fullStr | Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research |
| title_short | Centering community voices: advancing health equity for people and pets in Los Angeles County through community-based participatory research |
| title_sort | centering community voices advancing health equity for people and pets in los angeles county through community based participatory research |
| topic | pets health equity housing environmental justice trauma-informed care |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1539811/full |
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