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 Effective Practice, Health / Heart Disease & Stroke, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: The goal of this program is to improve the health of the Cambodian population in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Children, Adults, Older Adults
Goal: The goal of the CARES program is to decrease barriers and improve access to dental care.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Air
Goal: To slow climate change by reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while also establishing a network of public spaces where residents can walk to enjoy a vibrant urban landscape and healthy ecosystem.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Diabetes, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: The Diabetes Collaborative is a comprehensive, sustainable and evidence-based model of care developed to combat the health problems associated with diabetes.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: To create a place for the citizens of Boyle Heights, CA to exercise which is safe and easy to access and thus promotes regular physical activity.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: To achieve an improved physical environment, sense of community, and quality of life for members, residents and patrons of the Fenway Cultural District in Boston, Massachusetts.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Green Cart Initiative is to improve healthy food options for residents of New York.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Air
Goal: The goal of this program is to help suppliers continuously learn ways to save money, optimize resource use, and eliminate waste through on-site technical reviews.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens, Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Healthy Corner Store Initiative is to improve healthy food access in underserved communities in Philadelphia.
Impact: From 2004 to 2012, over 600 corner stores committed to providing healthy food options for customers. One hundred corner stores received conversions (investments ranging between $1,000 and $5,000) to expand inventory of produce and other healthy products.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes
Goal: The goals of the Homeless Garden Project (HGP) are to offer a supportive, meaningful work environment that encourages self-esteem, responsibility, and self-sufficiency; to integrate homeless people and the community in the security and beauty of a productive garden; and to put into practice the principles of economic and ecological sustainability.