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 Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of the Bay Area SCORES program is to reduce obesity, increase physical fitness, and manage cardiovascular health-related risks while improving academic performance in children between the ages of 6 and 12 through soccer, creative expression, service learning, “hip hop for health,” and creative writing.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
The goal of this project was to reduce energy usage in government buildings. Long-term objectives were: Research solar, wind and new roofing project; and consider replacing and upgrading wastewater treatment equipment, which was the city's biggest energy user (representing approximately 47 percent of the annual kilowatt usage.)
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
-assist lowincome customers,
-reduce energy use at city facilities and
-coordinate action between the city and its largest electric customers to implement emergency demand reduction/ load-shedding programs.
Filed under Good Idea, Education / Literacy, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of One City One Book: San Francisco Reads is to encourage enjoyment of reading, literacy, and community by having San Franciscans read and discuss the same book at the same time.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability, Urban
- Municipal clean fuel vehicle purchases
- Green power use and public education program
- Telecommuting and telecenters
- Enhanced pedestrian connections and increased housing and employment density near transit
- Bicycle lanes, paths, and routes
- Energy efficient landscaping
- Solar pool heating
- Traffic signal and system upgrades
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants, Urban
The goal of this project is to provide compost outreach and education to New York City residents and businesses.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Adults
To decrease total and saturated fat intake, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and body weight.
The dietitian-delivered intervention effectively improved the care of patients with hyperlipidemia.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Environmental Justice, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of the Environmental Health Leadership Training is to inform and empower the predominately low income people of three urban communities in Northern Manhattan (Central Harlem, West Harlem, and Washington Heights) to improve their capacity to organize for community environmental health and justice in New York City. The long term goal of these efforts is to help intervene and reduce exposure to environmental toxicants which are adversely affecting the health of disadvantaged, medically underserved, predominantly African American and Latino populations in Northern Manhattan.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
The goal of this project was to reduce energy usage in Chula Vista, California.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability, Urban
-In the short term, minimize likelihood of rolling blackouts to the maximum extent possible and mitigate the impact of rolling blackouts, including safety hazards. Increase ability to manage the crisis.
-In the long term, seek reasonably priced, reliable power, balanced with environmental concerns, to support a strong, healthy climate for residents and businesses.