Prevention Institute’s health systems transformation efforts focus on broadening out the definition of the health system to include all the organizations and sectors that contribute to people’s health. The health system in the United States is typically thought of as the network of hospitals, health plans, and community health centers where people receive clinical care. But the system that supports thriving and equitable communities is far broader. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies and the work they do to support community health, safety, and wellbeing were thrust into the spotlight. Community-based organizations also play a crucial role: during the pandemic, they provided food, financial support, eviction protection, ways to maintain social connection, and other basics that communities need in order to be healthy.
PI advocates for improved integration of all the elements of the system, increased financial support to keep the system stable, and changes to aspects of the system that are perpetuating health inequities and racial injustice. We collaborate with health system partners and to redesign and augment the existing system so that it prioritizes improved health outcomes for communities of color, immigrants, communities with low incomes, and other groups that the health system has previously neglected.
Prevention Institute's Community Prevention Readiness Self-Assessment is a tool that allows groups to be proactive and conduct a candid evaluation of their current capacity to engage in environmental change. Key elements of the assessment include: taking a comprehensive approach, building a strong collaboration, fostering strong interdisciplinary partnerships, identifying core leadership, advancing health equity, and building capacity among staff and partners.
The original Community Centered Health Homes paper, released in 2011, describes the importance of integrating community prevention and clinical care in today’s healthcare environment, and introduces the CCHH model as a strategy for healthcare organizations interested improving community conditions.
The Center for Health Improvement teamed with the Public Health Institute and the Prevention Institute to publish a brief that highlighted key prevention provisions in the 2010 federal health reform bill—the Affordable Care Act. Transforming Health: Integrating Prevention in Reform Efforts makes the case for continuing to build the evidence base for clinical preventive services and community prevention programs, highlighting two programs in California—one describing California's Healthy Cities and Communities program and another that shows how one community is addressing the interrelated
Every decision we make impacts our health--from transit to education to new technology investments-and we must commit as a state to ensuring that every policy and decision we make will better the health of Californians.
This letter to Senate leadership voices support for the passage of comprehensive health reform.
This chapter in the textbook "The New World of Health Promotion: New Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation," presents a detailed framework for prevention strategies to reduce health and safety inequities.
This letter to President Obama expresses support for strong community prevention provisions in health reform.
Talking points for health reform advocates to use in legislative visits, calls, and letters to their Congresspeople.
This November 2009 brief analyzes prevention and wellness elements in the House and Senate versions of the health reform legislation.
Talking points for media advocates to help support federal health reform efforts through op-eds, letters to the editor, or call-ins to radio talk shows.
Join us in advancing health equity and community empowerment — get in touch today to support the Prevention Institute’s efforts.