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.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Diabetes, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of Focus on Diabetes was to improve the health and health-related quality of life of African Americans with diabetes through community-based self-care education and events.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Urban
The program was designed to direct-mail a free, six-week course of nicotine treatment to eligible callers, thereby increasing access and reducing cost to people who wanted to stop smoking and improve their health.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Teens
The goal of this program is to help girls in middle school (ages 11-14) acquire knowledge, skills, and support systems to avoid substance abuse.
In 2016, independent evaluation of PEERsuasion failed to find evidence that Friendly PEERsuasion was effective in delaying or reducing girls’ use of ATOD or changing girls’ attitudes toward ATOD use and their associations with peers who use substances.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Urban
The goal of this program is to provide nutritious food to low-income people and to promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health, Children, Women, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Through prevention and early intervention efforts, the Healthy Beginnings Program provides opportunities for children and families to optimize birth, early childhood and family outcomes in a supportive community.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Diabetes, Older Adults, Urban
The goal of the Healthy Changes program is to increase the ability of program participants to improve their self-care on a day-to-day basis, including diet and physical activity aspects of their diabetes control regime.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Rural
Homeward Bound of Marin's mission is to address and solve the homelessness problem in Marin County.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Prevention & Safety, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of the LINC program is to provide health education and care to prison inmates while they are incarcerated and following their release.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Cancer, Adults
The goal of this mailing is to increase colorectal cancer screening completion rates.
Colonoscopy screening adherence rates in the intervention group of the trial were higher than the rates in the control group.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Open Road was created to develop programs and environments with and for young people that promote community, independence and self respect. They develop these programs in partnership with neighborhood groups in need of new natural, educational, and recreational environments. These new environments create new bonds between people of all ages, who unite to establish a living community resource.