Strategies

What Works for Health includes evidence-informed strategies to create communities where everyone can thrive.

128 Strategies
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New grocery stores in underserved areas

Attract new grocery stores that sell a variety of fresh foods, baked goods, packaged, and frozen items to underserved areas via financing initiatives, tax incentives, or zoning regulation
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Diet and exercise
  • Civic and community resources

New Hope Project

Provided work supports for low income individuals and families (e.g., job search assistance, transitional jobs, subsidized child care, health insurance, etc.); participants worked at least 30 hours/week
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Income, employment and wealth

Nurse residency programs

Implement programs that continue education, mentoring, and support for novice nurses following graduation
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Clinical care

Nutrition prescriptions

Provide prescriptions with healthy eating goals for patients and families, often accompanied by progress checks at office visits and vouchers or other healthy food provisions; can include partnerships with local farmers markets or grocery stores
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Diet and exercise

Out of town bypasses

Establish roads that avoid built-up areas such as towns, cities, or commercial/business districts
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Housing and transportation

Outdoor experiential education

Support outdoor pursuits and adventure-based activities that emphasize inter- and intra-personal growth through overcoming obstacles (e.g., challenge courses, wilderness excursions, etc.)
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Safety and social support
  • Civic and community resources

Paid sick leave laws

Require employers in an affected jurisdiction to provide paid time off for employees to use when ill or injured
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Income, employment and wealth

Societal Rules

  • Institutional practices
  • Laws and policies

Parents as Teachers (PAT)

Support home visits that teach parents about early childhood development and effective parenting strategies, with child development screenings, parental meetings, and links to community resources
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Education
  • Safety and social support

Plastic bag bans

Prohibit the manufacture, use, and provision of single-use plastic bags, either partially or completely, and provide education and outreach to raise consumer awareness and support of bans
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Air, water and land
  • Climate

Societal Rules

  • Laws and policies

Point-of-purchase prompts for healthy foods

Place motivational signs on posters, front of package labels, or shelf labels near fruits, vegetables, and other items that encourage individuals to purchase healthier food options
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Diet and exercise