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.
This document discusses health care leaders' broadening awareness to include the need to address the food system as a means to individual, public, and global health, above and beyond basic nutritional factors; explores health care's involvement in policy and advocacy as vital to solve the expanding ecological health crises facing our nation and globe.
A set of recommendations for the new administration to improve outcomes for young people, our cities, and our economic recovery and growth.
Read our recommendations for swift action and investments that will improve health and safety for all Californians. In this platform, we propose investments that promote equity, a healthy environment, and healthy people, and make the case that stimulus dollars should lift up communities that need it the most: communities of color and low-income communities with high rates of chronic illness, limited access to healthy food, disproportionately fewer opportunities for physical activity, and unequal access to safe parks, schools, and health resources. Download the document below for our full
This Prevention Institute and PolicyLink document examines the role of prevention and public health investments in furthering the goals of federal health reform.
This Convergence Partnership document makes recommendations for investment in prevention and wellness as an element of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.
In this 2009 letter, leaders at The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, Nemours, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente wrote that prevention measures like improved access to healthy food will save both lives and money.
Co-published by Prevention Institute and Jossey Bass and APHA, Prevention is Primary describes the overarching foundation and principles guiding primary prevention efforts and highlights prevention practice through a range of social and health issues, including chronic disease, HIV, violence, and mental health.
Co-released with The California Endowment and The Urban Institute, this document describes how investment in primary prevention can lead to improved health and health care.
Results from the Healthier America California Convening, lays out recommendations for federal government transformation. Co-released with Trust for America's Health.
Prevention Institute, Trust for America's Health, Urban Institute, New York Academy of Medicine, The California Endowment, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that: Small investments in community-level prevention have substantial returns Prevention can produce significant health care savings nationally and in every state The savings from investment in prevention accrue to both public and private health care payers Investing in prevention has a multiplier effect-multiple saving for multiple conditions Focusing prevention investments on communities with the most compromised health
Join us in advancing health equity and community empowerment — get in touch today to support the Prevention Institute’s efforts.