Mapping neighborhood health challenges: towards social network interventions in Amsterdam

Abstract Increasing evidence highlights the importance of social networks for enhancing health and well-being. Particularly, leveraging social networks as an intervention strategy is effective in addressing health challenges for at-risk and often previously overshadowed populations. In this study, we map health challenges in two Amsterdam neighborhoods and explore how social networks may address these health challenges. Following our action-research approach, challenges are identified in conversation with the neighborhoods and include (the lack of) social connection, and (un)healthy food environments. We use a participatory modelling approach in collaboration with residents and community health stakeholders. Employing the ARDI method, we outline the Actors, Resources, Dynamics, and Interactions that contribute to a collective health challenge. The resulting co-created conceptual model is valuable for creating a shared understanding of neighborhood health challenges and integrating diverse perspectives in the neighborhood. The conceptual model feeds into a role playing board game, which allows us to creatively engage residents and stakeholders in identifying potential interventions to address community health challenges. Preliminary results indicate that, despite a wealth of community resources, residents remain in their own “bubbles”, limiting access to (social and economic) resources. Social network interventions may therefore need to break across (isolated) groups. Our findings indicate that social network interventions hold potential towards more effective community health promotion. Key messages • Participatory modelling methods are a valuable for reflecting lived realities of neighborhood residents. • Employing social network interventions could potentially lead to more effective community health promotion strategies.