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 Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Teens
The goal of this program is to address the needs of juvenile offenders with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children
The goal of this study was to reduce pediatric asthma-related symptoms by installing central heating in homes.
Central heating successfully improves home heating, dampness, and energy efficiency. Through home modifications, asthma-related symptoms (nocturnal cough and days lost from school) can be reduced among children.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Prevention & Safety, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of the CDP was to improve health care access for incarcerated individuals and at-risk minority populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Oral Health
The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends community water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay (i.e., dental caries or cavities).
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Diabetes, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of this promising practice was to provide Mexican-Americans with the knowledge, skills, and support to improve general health measures and manage their diabetes.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation, Children, Adults, Urban
The mission of Earn-A-Bike is to educate and advocate the safe use of refurbished bicycles as affordable transportation.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Physical Activity
MANNA uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. By providing medically tailored meals and nutrition education, we empower people to improve their health and quality of life.
MANNA members report significant health care cost reductions due to improved health.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
The goal of this program is to prevent the spread of this illness and protect human lives.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants, Urban
The goal of this program was to reduce energy usage by 10 to 20 percent.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
To evaluate the association of a “Housing First” intervention for chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems with health care use and costs.
Total cost offsets for Housing First participants relative to controls averaged $2449 per person per month after accounting for housing program costs.