Promising Practices
The Promising Practices database informs professionals and community members about documented approaches to improving community health and quality of life.
The ultimate goal is to support the systematic adoption, implementation, and evaluation of successful programs, practices, and policy changes. The database provides carefully reviewed, documented, and ranked practices that range from good ideas to evidence-based practices.
Learn more about the ranking methodology.
Filed under Local, Good Idea, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens, Adults, Families
The goal of TeenRehabCenter.org is to give parents the tools they need to be able to talk to their children and teens about drugs and alcohol. By providing these resources, it hopes to prevent more teens and young adults from substance abuse. It also aims to help those who are already struggling by furnishing recovery information that is tailored both for parents and for teens.
Time spent in treatment is forward progress, since the individual is removed from substance use and negative peer and environmental influences. At least half of teens who graduate from rehab will enjoy an extended period of sobriety. How they follow-up after rehab is over can play a massive role in how strong and stable these healthy habits become.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Cancer, Adults
The goal of this program is to improve colorectal cancer screening rates among older adults.
Participants in the intervention group had significantly higher colorectal cancer screening attendance, as well as having more positive attitudes about screening and placing a higher priority on screening.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Respiratory Diseases, Children, Urban
The goal of the Cambridge-Somerville Healthy Homes Project is to lower the frequency of asthma attacks in children and help families make their homes safer.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Families, Urban
The goal of Shape Up Somerville is to prevent obesity through a community-based environmental change intervention.
Through multi-level social interventions (community, school, family) intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time can decrease among children.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Diabetes, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of the Advancing Diabetes Self Management program at the Community Health Center was to improve the health outcomes of people with type 2 diabetes.
The diabetes self-management intervention showed patient improvements in glycemic control, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol. The team was able to develop and adapt the program to meet the unique needs of the population to create an effective intervention.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Respiratory Diseases
When implemented in schools in low-income or minority communities, interventions are likely to promote health equity.
CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Diabetes Prevention and Control: Case Management Interventions to Improve Glycemic Control (USA)
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Diabetes, Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Families
The Community Preventive Services Task Force has found that case management helps improve glycemic control for patients with diabetes.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Diabetes
The Diabetes Community Guide can improve biological components of diabetes for those treated for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in both community clinics and managed care organizations.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens, Urban
The goal of this program is to improve classroom management in order to provide a better learning environment that fosters academic success.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Children, Teens, Families, Urban
The mission of Head to Toe is to teach children and their families the skills to manage body weight as they grow by living a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and a positive self-image.
From August 2011 to May 2016, 485 children and their parents or guardians have enrolled in the Head to Toe program. Head to Toe has effectively increased knowledge of nutrition, physical activity and emotional health among participants.