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.
Direct Mailing of Fecal Occult Blood Tests to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening (Wright County, MN)
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Cancer, Adults
The goal of this program was to increase colorectal cancer screening using direct mailings of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits for noninvasive colon cancer screening.
Direct mailing of FOBT kits resulted in an increase in self-reported colon cancer screening adherence.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Children, Women, Men, Families
The mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to end domestic violence through support, advocacy, shelter and education.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Older Adults
To increase attendance rates and decrease transportation-related barriers to outpatient PT clinic patients.
When patients were offered a van service, attendance rates increased at the physical therapy clinic.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health
The goal of this program is to detect nitrification in drinking water in order to protect infants under six months old from methemoglobinemia and prevent other consequential bacteriological problems.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
The goal of the Greater Grand Forks Immunization Coalition is to have all residents protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.The Drive-Through Flu Clinic was designed to address barriers to vaccination in the community for residents six months of age and older.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Community / Public Safety
The goal of the DISP program is to reduce drunk driving among alcohol traffic offenders.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Adults, Rural
The goal of Dump Your Plump is to foster healthy eating and exercise habits through team-based competition.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Urban
The goal of the program is to provide police departments, schools and others with Naloxone and proper training to save lives from heroin overdose and to provide individuals with a chance to recover.
In the first six months of the second year, 26 saves were recorded.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation, Children, Adults, Urban
The mission of Earn-A-Bike is to educate and advocate the safe use of refurbished bicycles as affordable transportation.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Children, Adults, Families, Urban
The goals of Engage DuPage include improving the health status of self-pay Emergency Department patients, increasing the revenue appropriately owed to hospitals for services rendered, improving the financial assistance processes involving self-pay Emergency Department patients, and reducing the number of avoidable Emergency Department visits among self-pay patients.
By the end of 2014, 57% of all benefit applications that were submitted were approved. In addition, 29% of all interested patients were connected to a primary care provider through a Community Access Specialist.