National Prevention 

Council Action Plan

June 2012

IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL PREVENTION STRATEGY
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Message from the Chair of the National Prevention, 

Health Promotion, and Public Health Council

It is with great pleasure that I present the National Prevention Council Action Plan: Implementing the National Prevention Strategy.

The National Prevention Council Action Plan outlines the federal commitment to implementing the vision, goal, priorities, and 

recommendations of the nation’s first ever National Prevention Strategy. This action plan is a direct result of the National Prevention 

Council’s leadership and highlights the important contributions that each member department is making to ensure the health, well-being, 

and resilience of the American people. 

The National Prevention Council comprises 17 federal departments that are incorporating prevention in their activities. This action plan 

demonstrates how these departments are implementing prevention efforts, in line with their respective missions, to achieve the National 

Prevention Strategy goal of increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life.

These efforts range from contributing to safe community environments and improving access to recreation areas to supporting safe and 

healthy workplaces—all actions intend to put health and wellness into everything we do.

This action plan highlights how the National Prevention Council departments are working together—in conjunction with state, tribal, local, 

territorial, public, and private partners—to begin to move our health system from one based on sickness and disease to one based on 

wellness and prevention.

The National Prevention Council, through the combined efforts of all its 17 departments, has voluntarily committed to the following: 

identifying opportunities to consider prevention and health, increasing tobacco-free environments, and increasing access to healthy, 

affordable food. In addition, the council is encouraging their partners to do so voluntarily as appropriate. 

It is understood that specific actions to advance these commitments will vary across departments. However, with the National Prevention 

Council’s guidance, departments are encouraged to develop specific goals in alignment with the council commitments.

Like the National Prevention Strategy, the National Prevention Council Action Plan is intended to be dynamic and evolve as the needs, 

interests, and priorities of individuals, families, and communities change.

I encourage everyone—government, business, academics, industry, private and public partners, philanthropy, community and faith-based 

organizations, and each of us as Americans—to take actions toward making America a more healthy and fit nation. 

Join the Nation Prevention Council and me in helping to achieve the National Prevention Strategy goal of increasing the number of 

Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. 

Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA

U.S Surgeon General

Chair of the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
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National Prevention, Health Promotion, and 

Public Health Council

Chair

• Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, United States Public Health Service

Members

• Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Department of Health and Human Services

• Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture

• Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education

• Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Federal Trade Commission

• Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation

• Secretary Hilda L. Solis, Department of Labor

• Secretary Janet A. Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security

• Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency

• Director R. Gil Kerlikowske, Office of National Drug Control Policy

• Director Cecilia Muñoz, Domestic Policy Council

• Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Donald Laverdure, Department of Interior

• Chief Executive Officer Wendy Spencer, Corporation for National and Community Service

• Secretary Leon Panetta, Department of Defense

• Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Housing and Urban Development

• Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., Department of Justice

• Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, Department of Veterans Affairs

• Acting Director Jeffrey Zients, Office of Management and Budget
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National 

Prevention Council 

Table of Contents Action Plan

Message from the Chair of the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council....................................... 1

National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council ..................................................................................... 2

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4

National Prevention Council Commitments: Accelerating Prevention .................................................................................. 6

National Prevention Council Department Actions Aligned to the National Prevention Strategy ........................................... 10

National Prevention Strategy Strategic Directions

Healthy and Safe Community Environments............................................................................................................... 11

Clinical and Community Preventive Services............................................................................................................... 15

Empowered People ................................................................................................................................................... 19

Elimination of Health Disparities................................................................................................................................ 22

National Prevention Strategy Priorities

Tobacco Free Living ................................................................................................................................................... 25

Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use ..................................................................................................... 27

Healthy Eating .......................................................................................................................................................... 29

Active Living ............................................................................................................................................................. 32

Injury and Violence Free Living .................................................................................................................................. 34

Reproductive and Sexual Health ................................................................................................................................ 36

Mental and Emotional Well-being.............................................................................................................................. 38

Moving Forward.............................................................................................................................................................. 41

Appendices

Appendix 1: National Prevention Council Department Abbreviations and Descriptions ................................................ 42

Appendix 2: Framework for National Prevention Council Commitments...................................................................... 44

Appendix 3: Department Action Items (by National Prevention Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)............... 48

Appendix 4: Additional Information about Programs/Initiatives................................................................................... 77

Appendix 5: References............................................................................................................................................. 83
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Introduction

On June 16, 2011, the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council (National Prevention Council)1 released the 

National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness. Authorized by the Affordable Care Act, the National Prevention 

Strategy2 represents the leadership of 17 federal departments, agencies, and offices (departments) and identifies Strategic Directions and 

Priorities that promote good health for all Americans. (See Appendix 1 for National Prevention Council Department Abbreviations and 

Descriptions.) Led by the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Prevention Council is committed to prevention and wellness for individuals, 

families, and communities. 

The National Prevention Council Action Plan builds from the vision, goal, recommendations, and actions of the landmark National 

Prevention Strategy. This action plan highlights important opportunities that the National Prevention Council and its diverse member 

departments—representing sectors such as housing, transportation, education, environment, and defense—are creating to ensure the 

health, well-being, and resilience of the American people. 

Using its collective leadership and taking specific actions that align to the Strategic Directions and Priorities of the National Prevention 

Strategy, the National Prevention Council intends to accelerate high-impact areas to move America from a system of sick care to one based 

on wellness and prevention. The National Prevention Council provides federal leadership to promote the best health outcomes where 

people live, learn, work, and play. The work of the National Prevention Council departments affects communities across the country. Thus, 

the implementation efforts summarized in this National Prevention Council Action Plan strive to ensure everyone has the opportunity to 

live a long, healthy, and productive life. 

The National Prevention Strategy outlines federal actions that will improve the health of all Americans. The National Prevention Council 

Action Plan identifies National Prevention Council commitments, shared across all 17 departments, and unique department actions being taken 

to further each of the Strategic Directions and Priorities of the National Prevention Strategy. 

The Strategic Directions are the foundation for all prevention efforts: 

•	 Healthy and Safe Community Environments: Creating, sustaining, and recognizing communities that promote health and wellness 

through prevention. 

•	 Clinical and Community Preventive Services: Ensuring that prevention-focused health care and community prevention efforts are 

available, integrated, and mutually reinforcing. 

•	 Empowered People: Supporting people in making healthy choices. 

•	 Elimination of Health Disparities: Eliminating disparities and improving the quality of life for all Americans.

The Strategy’s Priorities—designed to improve health and wellness for the entire U.S. population, including those groups disproportionately 

affected by disease and injury—provide evidence-based recommendations that have the greatest potential to reduce the leading causes of 

preventable death and major illness: 

•	 Tobacco Free Living 

•	 Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use 

•	 Healthy Eating 

•	 Active Living 

•	 Injury and Violence Free Living 

•	 Reproductive and Sexual Health 

•	 Mental and Emotional Well-Being
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National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Advancing the Strategic Directions and Priorities of the National Prevention Strategy requires action beyond the federal government. The 

actions of state, tribal, local, and territorial governments, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, community- and faith-based 

organizations, and individual Americans are essential to improving health through prevention. Aligning strategies at the national, state, 

tribal, local, and territorial levels can help ensure that actions are synergistic and complementary. 

Just as the National Prevention Strategy has increased awareness of the value of prevention across multiple sectors, this action plan further 

supports a comprehensive federal approach to preventing sickness and disease by promoting health and wellness. The National Prevention 

Council Action Plan highlights important work already under way. Presenting shared National Prevention Council commitments and unique 

department actions, the efforts highlighted in the National Prevention Council Action Plan have the potential to significantly improve the 

health of Americans. The action plan illustrates the breadth of federal prevention activity. It is not a complete inventory of the prevention 

efforts across the federal government. In addition, all action items—whether in new or existing initiatives—are subject to the annual 

budget processes that require federal agencies to balance priorities within available resources. 

For many National Prevention Council departments, these actions support and reinforce their ongoing contributions to Healthy People 

2020, a 10-year set of science-based national health objectives developed through multi-agency collaboration and intended to measure 

the impact of prevention activities. A smaller set of Healthy People 2020 objectives, called Leading Health Indicators, were released in 

November 2011 to communicate high-priority health issues and actions that can be taken to address them. 

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One role of the National Prevention Council is to ensure federal health and prevention efforts are coordinated, aligned, and 

championed. The National Prevention Council recognizes that some opportunities are shared across all departments and that synergies 

may occur when all departments work together to make progress. Thus, the National Prevention Council has identified specific areas 

in which prevention can be accelerated through the combined efforts of all 17 National Prevention Council departments. 

The National Prevention Council commitments include the following:

• Identify opportunities to consider prevention and health within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do 

so voluntarily as appropriate. 

• Increase tobacco free environments within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as 

appropriate.

• Increase access to healthy, affordable food within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily 

as appropriate. 

A flexible approach allows each National Prevention Council department to identify relevant processes and goals. (See Appendix 2 for 

“Framework for National Prevention Council Commitments.”) Department-specific actions to advance these shared commitments will vary. 

Prevention in Action examples for each National Prevention Council commitment demonstrate that progress is already being made. 

National Prevention Council Commitment: The National Prevention Council will 

identify opportunities to consider prevention and health within its departments 

and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as appropriate. 

National Prevention Council departments can improve health by considering prevention and health within their respective organizations. 

Many are already carrying out actions consistent with their respective missions. (See National Prevention Council Department Actions 

Aligned to Strategic Directions and Priorities.) In addition, the National Prevention Council realizes the opportunity for collaborative, 

cross-sector efforts that consider prevention and health in areas where they may not typically be considered (e.g., workforce development, 

transportation planning). Specific activities will vary by department but might include enhancing the capacity of the workforce to engage 

in prevention and cross-sector work, enhancing mechanisms to align data and foster cross-sector information exchange, coordinating 

investments in communities, or communicating the relationship between health and departmental goals and objectives. By identifying 

opportunities to improve health, the National Prevention Council can support healthier communities. Healthier communities can increase 

productivity, reduce direct (e.g., medical claims) and indirect (e.g., absenteeism) costs, and improve health outcomes. 

National Prevention Council Commitments:

Accelerating Prevention 
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National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

PREVENTION IN ACTION: 

Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor Undertake Innovative Efforts to Integrate Prevention 

into Workplaces

Creating a healthy workforce is crucial to the strength and prosperity of our nation. Studies have shown that on average for every one 

dollar spent on worker medical costs, employers absorb two to three dollars of health-related productivity costs.3 A healthy workforce 

is one that is empowered to make healthy choices. Americans working full-time typically spend more than one-third of their day, five 

days per week, at the workplace, providing a powerful opportunity to prevent illness and injury and improve workers’ overall health 

and well-being. 

As the nation’s largest employer, the federal government engages in efforts to integrate prevention into its own worksites. The 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides occupational health and wellness services including clinical services such as 

physical exams, immunizations, vision and health screenings, and health risk appraisals. Additionally, participation in programs such as 

FedStrive links employees with comprehensive worksite wellness services. Workplace wellness resources and best practices are shared 

across federal agencies through initiatives such as the Healthier Federal Workers Symposium. 

In addition, HHS and the Department of Labor (DOL) are committed to ensuring that the more than 141 million workers across the 

nation have healthy and safe workplaces.4 The departments take a broad view of workplace health that seeks to protect workers from 

hazards and ensures access to health promotion in their workplaces and communities. 

Through initiatives such as the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, DOL has trained and educated more than 1.8 million workers on 

the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of health hazards in the workplace.5 In September 2011, DOL partnered with HHS and the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to share resources, identify promising practices, and help eliminate health and safety disparities 

in the workplace. According to Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, “protecting the health and safety of the nation’s workforce through 

prevention of workplace hazards is one of the core missions of the U.S. Department of Labor.”

In 2011, HHS launched innovations to integrate disease prevention and health promotion into workplaces around the nation through 

the Total Worker HealthTM initiative and the National Healthy WorksiteTM program. Total Worker HealthTM encourages employers to build 

a culture of safety and health that provides an environment where the well-being of workers is valued, preserved, and enhanced. Total 

Worker HealthTM is a comprehensive set of organizational policies and practices that promote healthier choices and opportunities for 

workers on and off the job (e.g., in their homes and communities when away from work).6 The National Healthy WorksiteTM program is 

designed to assist employers in implementing evidence-based prevention and wellness strategies that will lead to specific, measurable 

health outcomes to reduce chronic disease rates and improve outcomes that will improve employers’ competitiveness.7 Participating 

employers will receive intensive onsite support to address physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco cessation.8 “This exciting initiative 

will help companies of all sizes across the nation implement strategies to improve employee health and reduce the costs associated with 

chronic diseases,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “After all, a healthy worker contributes to a healthy company.”
8

National Prevention Council Commitment: The National Prevention Council will 

increase tobacco free environments within its departments and encourage partners 

to do so voluntarily as appropriate.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Tobacco use causes significant health 

consequences, including cancer and nicotine addiction. The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke 

account for an estimated 443,000 deaths or nearly one of every five deaths each year.9 In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke 

causes an estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths and more than 46,000 heart disease deaths among U.S. adult nonsmokers each year.10 By 

encouraging tobacco free environments and promoting tobacco cessation services across the National Prevention Council departments, the 

council serves as a leader in prevention and can help improve health in communities across the country.

PREVENTION IN ACTION: 

Department of Housing and Urban Development Promotes Smoke Free Environments for Public Housing Residents

The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can have serious health effects, especially for 

children, the elderly, and the disabled11,12 who are represented in more than 85 percent of households in public housing.13 Exposure 

to secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer14 and heart disease among adults who do not smoke.15 Among children, exposure to 

secondhand smoke is associated with acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, delayed lung growth, respiratory symptoms, and 

more severe asthma.16 In addition to the adverse health effects from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking in multiunit housing can also lead to injuries and loss of life as well as excess costs associated with smoking-attributable fires and property 

maintenance. From 2006 to 2008, an estimated 9,000 smoking-related fires occurred in residential housing each year in the United 

States, resulting in approximately 450 deaths, 1,025 injuries, and $303 million in property loss each year.17

Ensuring safe, healthy, affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly homes for Americans is important to improving the nation’s 

overall health.18 The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is committed to providing the approximately 2.1 million 

people who reside in public housing with healthy and safe living environments, including the option to live smoke free. Since 2009, HUD 

has strongly encouraged Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to adopt smoke free policies,19 and by 2011 at least 230 PHAs had adopted 

such polices for some or all of their buildings.20 In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American 

Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Lung Association, HUD will soon release a collection of resources for property owners, housing 

managers, landlords, resident organizations, and residents to help them create smoke free environments. HUD is working with HHS 

and other partners to increase residents’ access to proven tobacco cessation services and identify best practices. In the future, HUD will 

make these best practices for achieving smoke free multi-unit housing available to the residents and managers of public housing who are 

considering implementing these smoke free policies. 

Through its comprehensive efforts to promote smoke free multi-unit housing, HUD is helping to achieve the department’s strategic goal 

to “Utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life.” The implementation of smoke free homes has been shown to reduce 

consumption and promote cessation among current smokers, as well as prevent relapse among former smokers.21 HUD’s recent efforts 

to promote healthy and safe smoke free environments for public housing residents are helping to achieve the goal of the National 

Prevention Strategy by increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life.

According to Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez, “HUD’s work in smoke free multi-unit housing will have 

a lasting and significant contribution to the health and well-being of residents of public and assisted housing in this country. We all know 

that good physical and mental health depends on a number of factors, including homes that are safe and free from physical hazards. I’m 

sure housing authorities that have gone smoke free will admit it’s not an easy road to travel, but the destination—making public housing 

a healthier environment for residents—is worth it.”
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National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Council Commitment: The National Prevention Council will 

increase access to healthy, affordable food within its departments and encourage 

partners to do so voluntarily as appropriate.

Healthy eating is associated with lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and being 

overweight or obese.22 Currently, Americans eat too many foods high in calories, sodium, solid fat, added sugars, and refined grains, foods 

that now account for approximately 30 percent of the energy intake of the U.S. population. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010

recommend a healthy eating pattern that limits intake of such foods and emphasizes nutrient-rich foods and beverages—vegetables, fruits, 

whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and seeds. By increasing 

access to healthy, affordable food, many National Prevention Council departments are already helping to make the healthy choice the easy 

choice for millions of Americans. 

PREVENTION IN ACTION: 

Department of Defense Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Improve Nutrition Standards

On February 9, 2012, the Department of Defense (DOD), joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, launched a new obesity and nutrition 

awareness initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of troops, retirees, and their families. For the first time in 20 years, the 

DOD is improving its nutrition standards militarywide. 

This initiative will feature cooperative efforts with each of the armed services to: 

• Update menu standards at military dining facilities

• Assess the nutritional environment of military facilities

• Ensure healthier foods are available in dining facilities, DOD schools, and wherever service members and their families purchase food 

on base, including vending machines and snack bars 

• Ensure access to enhanced nutrition information and obesity-related counseling for military retirees 

Those improvements, which will affect more than 1,000 dining facilities and nearly 1.5 million troops, 1.2 million children of active 

duty personnel, and 1.9 military retirees should, it is hoped, reduce the estimated $1.4 billion a year the DOD spends on health-related 

problems related to obesity, including diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. According to Dr. Jonathon Woodson, Assistant Secretary 

of Defense for Health Affairs, these efforts are in response to “a national security issue.” He adds, “We have an issue of increasing obesity 

within the civilian population, [and] a history of poor nutritional choices, both in the civilian and military populations, that’s affecting 

readiness.” Nearly 30 percent of potential military candidates ages 17 to 24 years cannot qualify for the military because they are 

overweight. Additionally, the military discharges about 1,200 entry-level candidates each year due to their inability to meet fitness and 

weight standards. 

“Our strategy within health affairs is moving from what we call health care—just delivery of services—to producing health in our 

population we serve,” Dr. Woodson stated. “It’s about a mindset that looks at disease prevention rather than disease treatment.”

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National Prevention Council Department Actions 

Aligned to the National Prevention Strategy 

Each National Prevention Council department has taken ownership of specific actions aligned with the Strategic Directions and Priorities of 

the National Prevention Strategy, providing examples of activities that contribute to implementing the strategy’s goal. These department 

actions balance innovative programs and proven initiatives. One or more National Prevention Council departments are addressing each 

federal action within the National Prevention Strategy. The actions showcase each department’s contributions as they work to prioritize 

prevention in their efforts. These actions do not represent an inventory of the full set of prevention-related activities ongoing within the 

departments. (See Appendix 4 for more detailed information.)
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National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Coordinate investments in transportation, 

housing, environmental protection, and 

community infrastructure to promote 

sustainable and healthy communities. 

• CNCS will continue to fund and support programs such as Retired Senior Volunteer 

Program (RSVP), Senior Companions, and AmeriCorps that increase seniors’ ability to 

remain in their own homes with the same or improved quality of life for as long as 

possible. These programs will increase social ties and social support among homebound or 

older adults and individuals with disabilities, promoting mental health.

• CNCS will continue to fund and support grant activities with the Social Innovation 

Fund, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps State and National that help economically 

disadvantaged people transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing and 

provide opportunities for communities to address housing transition and affordable 

housing resources.

• ED is supporting Promise Neighborhoods to combat the effects of poverty and provide 

high-quality opportunities to improve educational outcomes, ensuring children are healthy 

and have safe places to live, learn, and play.

• HUD will encourage recipients of Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants and 

Community Challenge Grants to evaluate planning and development investments for 

potential to promote access to affordable communities and active and healthy living.

• The HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities is working to improve access 

to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs 

while protecting the environment in communities nationwide.

Healthy and Safe

Community Environments

Many elements of our communities affect health directly and also influence individuals’ health-related choices. A healthy community 

environment can help make healthy choices easy and affordable. Many factors influence individual choices, including the availability 

of resources to meet daily needs (e.g., educational and job opportunities, safe and affordable housing, healthy and affordable foods), 

community structures (e.g., accessible and safe buildings, parks, transportation), and the natural environment (e.g., absence of 

toxic substances and other physical hazards).23 Federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial policies that improve these factors within 

communities are often interrelated. 

Strategic Directions

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations

1.Improve quality of air, land, and water.

2.Design and promote affordable, accessible, safe, and healthy housing.

3. Strengthen state, tribal, local, and territorial public health departments to provide essential services.

4.Integrate health criteria into decision making, where appropriate, across multiple sectors.

5. Enhance cross-sector collaboration in community planning and design to promote health and safety.

6. Expand and increase access to information technology and integrated data systems to promote cross-sector information exchange.

7.Identify and implement strategies that are proven to work and conduct research where evidence is lacking.

8.Maintain a skilled, cross-trained, and diverse prevention workforce. 
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National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Enhance capacity of state, tribal, 

local, and territorial governments to 

create healthy, livable, and sustainable 

communities (e.g., increase access to 

healthy food and opportunities for 

physical activity, revitalize brownfields, 

enhance alternative transportation 

options, and develop green facilities and 

buildings). 

• BIA will work with USDA, ED, DOT, CNCS, and HHS to reinforce and improve upon the 

goals of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative to connect communities, 

schools, and tribal leaders to resources, funding, opportunities, trainings, and programs 

that can support efforts to reduce high rates of obesity and improve the health of native 

youth by increasing access to healthy, affordable, and traditional foods, and opportunities 

for physical activity.

• ED will continue the ED-Green Ribbon Schools initiative to recognize exemplary 

achievement in schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable 

learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education. DOD 

and the Bureau of Indian Education are working with ED to recognize schools that 

exemplify achievement in reduced environmental impact, energy efficiency, healthy school 

environments and practices, and effective environmental and sustainability education that 

teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and civic skills.

Support standards to reduce pollution 

and environmental exposure to ensure 

that all communities are protected from 

environmental and health hazards. 

• BIA will engage with partners, such as EPA and ED, to improve access and infrastructure 

in BIA-funded schools to enhance efforts to improve air quality in schools, decrease 

greenhouse gas emissions, meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

certification standards, recycle and clean up hazardous waste, and improve the health of 

the school environment.

Support healthy housing while 

addressing unsafe housing conditions 

and health-related hazards, including 

injury hazards, asthma triggers, and 

lead-based paint hazards. 

• HUD addresses residential health hazards, including unsafe conditions that may result in 

injury, asthma triggers, and lead-based paint hazards, through housing intervention grants 

awarded under its Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Production grant programs.

Increase availability and use of 

prevention research to identify effective 

environmental, policy, and systems that 

reduce chronic diseases, promote safety, 

and eliminate health disparities. 

• HHS is supporting and disseminating the results of evidence-based research through 

programs such as the Community Guide, the Prevention Research Centers, and Partnerships 

for Environmental Public Health and is increasing the use of evidence-based prevention 

research through programs such as the evidence-based Healthy Aging Program and 

Community Transformation Grants.

Healthy and Safe Community Environments

Strategic Directions

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Green Ribbon Schools

On April 23, 2012, the Department of Education (ED) announced the first ever honorees of ED-Green Ribbon Schools, recognizing 

exemplary achievement in three complementary areas: reduced environmental impact, improved health, and effective education. The 

award represents a collaboration among several federal agencies including the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of 

the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

State education agencies and schools are encouraged to recognize the links between education, health, and the environment, make all 

three of these areas a priority, and use partner agencies’ resources in order to achieve the goals of the recognition award. The recognition 

encourages states and schools to increase physical activity time, improve nutrition, and ensure that schools are healthy and safe spaces. 

Learn more about the Green Ribbon Schools (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html).
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National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Use housing development subsidies to 

promote mixed-income neighborhoods 

and access to safe and healthy housing. 

• HUD will encourage Choice Neighborhoods grantees to focus on health in their 

communities by incorporating health-related metrics in their evaluations and will 

encourage HUD grantees to collaborate with local public health agencies to implement 

neighborhood revitalization plans.

• HUD is working with HHS to implement initiatives, such as Section 811 Supportive 

Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, that help older adults and persons with 

disabilities live in healthy and safe community settings or transition from institutions 

to independent living in community settings that prevent injuries and support positive 

physical and mental health.

• HUD and HHS will continue to coordinate the provision of appropriate housing and 

services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness by 1) aligning 

resources to ensure that persons who become homeless can be quickly rehoused and 

receive necessary resources; 2) using administrative data sources to better understand 

the intersection between homelessness and health and human service program usage; 

3) conducting joint research to better understand the value of housing and services; 

and 4) developing and testing homelessness prevention initiatives that can be linked to 

existing programs designed to serve low-income populations with an increased risk of 

homelessness (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child welfare) to reduce 

housing instability and improve health and quality of life for individuals and families 

experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness.

• VA, in collaboration with HUD, will provide permanent housing and ongoing case 

management treatment services through the Supportive Housing initiative (HUD-VASH) to 

support homeless veterans.

Support state, tribal, local, and territorial 

partners to enhance epidemiology and 

laboratory capacity, health information 

technology, and performance 

improvement. 

• HHS will continue to enhance epidemiology and laboratory capacity to detect and respond 

to infectious disease outbreaks through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for 

Infectious Disease and the Emerging Infections Program Cooperative Agreements.

• HHS is improving health information systems and accelerating national implementation 

of Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) to improve the use and functionality of health 

information technology, resulting in more accurate data and measurement of health 

impact. 

• HHS will work with Regional Extension Centers and Quality Improvement Organizations 

to increase the number of meaningful users of health information technology to support 

prevention efforts and improve the quality of health data through systemwide process 

improvements at the community level.

• USDA will continue to collaborate with HHS to address foodborne illnesses, linking state 

and local governments, and facilitate communication and decision making in emergency 

outbreaks.

• USDA, in collaboration with the Food Emergency Response Network (co-chaired by USDA 

and HHS), will disseminate information regarding standards for federal, state, local, and 

industry laboratory testing and results to promote consistency and strengthen the food 

safety system.
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National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners in strategic health 

security planning efforts for pandemics, 

biological and chemical attacks, incidents 

affecting food and agriculture, natural 

disasters, and other catastrophic events. 

• BIA will partner with DHS to prepare BIA-funded schools to respond to emergencies (e.g., 

manmade or natural disasters).

• HHS will implement the National Health Security Strategy to improve public health and 

health care preparedness to promote a resilient nation that can prevent, protect, mitigate, 

respond to, and recover from all health threats. 

• HHS, in collaboration with USDA, is developing the National Voluntary Environmental 

Assessment Information System to identify factors contributing to foodborne outbreaks and 

help determine how to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with food-service 

establishments.

• HHS, USDA, and other partners will maintain and enhance the national surveillance 

networks for foodborne diseases (e.g., Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network 

[FoodNet], PulseNet, CaliciNet National Notifiable Diseases) to share information and 

address incidents of unsafe food released in commerce.

• USDA, along with HHS, will train health specialists to better assess foodborne outbreak 

response and will also provide technical assistance to organizations in support of their food 

safety training efforts.

• USDA and HHS have developed high-level priority goals to reduce the rate of illnesses 

from certain high-risk pathogens in the population, especially salmonella. 

Support effective public safety measures, 

such as community-based anti-crime and 

anti-gang initiatives to facilitate physical 

activity and prevent injury and violence.

• BIA will ensure that BIA-funded schools provide a safe and secure environment for students 

and staff by conducting site visits to ensure that current safety measures are being used 

and by training staff in preventing suicide, bullying, and violence.

• DOJ, in collaboration with HUD, HHS, ONDCP, and ED through the National Forum on 

Youth Violence Prevention, will assist and collaborate with cities on best practices for 

preventing youth and gang violence to support effective public safety measures to prevent 

injury and violence, such as community-based anti-crime and anti-gang initiatives.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative

In the summer of 2011, the Department of Transportation (DOT) partnered with the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Labor 

(DOL), Defense (DOD), and Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the Veterans Transportation and Community Living 

Initiative. This federally coordinated partnership provides service members, veterans, and their families access to safe, reliable, and 

affordable transportation to improve mobility and ensure access to jobs and health care. Competitive grants to states and localities 

are creating One-Call/One-Click Transportation Resource Centers providing open government support tools to build local partnerships. 

The Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility is leading the initiative. This permanent partnership of federal departments 

coordinates federal programs on behalf of people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. Learn more about the 

Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (http://www.fta.dot.gov/veterans).

Healthy and Safe Community Environments

Strategic Directions
15

National 

Prevention Council 

Clinical and Community Action Plan

Preventive Services

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions. 

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

• BIA will partner with HHS and USDA to strengthen linkages for medical, dental, nutrition, 

and mental health, and other health services for school-age children in BIA-funded schools 

to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing health and wellness in the school 

environment and to improve the health and academic outcomes of American Indian/Alaska 

Native students.

• DHS will develop and disseminate a “Health & Wellness Management Directive and 

Instruction” guide to make supervisors and managers aware of tools and support available 

to their employees to help them lead healthier and more productive lives.

• DHS will develop and implement a Medical Quality Management (MQM) and 

Credentialing Program department-wide, and provide guidance for the department’s First 

Responder, Emergency Medical Responder, and clinical staff to raise the quality of care, 

standardize the quality of care, and eliminate any disparities in care delivery, including the 

provision of appropriate preventive services.

• HHS will continue to identify Medicare and Medicaid payment and delivery system 

models that promote access to and delivery of preventive services through Center for 

Medicare and Medicaid Innovation programs (e.g., the Federally Qualified Health Center 

Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration, Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations, 

and Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative), and evaluate the outcomes.

• ONDCP will collaborate with HHS to support the integration of the Screening, Brief 

Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program into health care settings, 

disseminate information about SBIRT to a wide variety of health care settings, highlight 

model programs that are using SBIRT, and encourage training opportunities for the allied 

health professions.

• VA will implement Clinical Preventive Services Guidance Statements with recommendations 

for screening, counseling, immunizations, and preventive medications to support the 

delivery of clinical preventive services to veterans.

The provision of evidence-based clinical and community preventive services and the integration of these activities are central to 

improving and enhancing physical and mental health. Certain clinical preventive services have proven to be both effective and 

cost-saving through decades of practice and research. The Affordable Care Act reduces barriers to people receiving many clinical 

preventive services by removing cost-sharing requirements in new health plans. Clinical preventive services can be supported and 

reinforced by community prevention efforts that have the potential to reach large numbers of people.

Strategic Directions

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Support the National Quality Strategy’s focus on improving cardiovascular health.

2.Use payment and reimbursement mechanisms to encourage delivery of clinical preventive services.

3. Expand use of interoperable health information technology.

4. Support implementation of community-based preventive services and enhance linkages with clinical care.

5.Reduce barriers to accessing clinical and community preventive services, especially among populations at greatest risk.

6. Enhance coordination and integration of clinical, behavioral, and complementary health strategies.
16

Clinical and Community Preventive Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Improve monitoring capacity for quality 

and performance of recommended 

clinical preventive services.

• HHS will implement the National Quality Strategy, catalyzing national, state, and local 

efforts to improve health care quality focused on common aims, priorities, and goals to 

ensure that all patients receive the right care including recommended clinical preventive 

services, at the right time, in the right setting, every time.

• VA will continue to monitor many clinical preventive services, report results on a monthly 

basis to medical facility leadership, and address issues related to these services as needed.

Identify, pilot, and support strategies to 

reduce cardiovascular disease, including 

improving screening and treatment for 

high blood pressure and cholesterol.

• EPA will create and conduct continuing education programs for health professionals on 

the health effects of air pollution on heart disease and stroke as part of the multi-agency 

Million HeartsTM initiative.

• HHS will continue to support the Million HeartsTM initiative, which aims to reduce tobacco 

use, promote healthy eating, and improve medication adherence to prevent 1 million 

heart attacks and strokes by December 2017. 

Encourage older adults to seek a free 

annual Medicare wellness visit, a new 

benefit provided by the Affordable Care 

Act.

• HHS is promoting the Medicare annual wellness visit through consumer education 

and outreach events with partners (such as a wellness bus tour), as well as by building 

awareness of the annual wellness visit among providers. 

Educate clinicians, federal employees, 

and the public (especially those in 

underserved populations) about 

coverage improvements and elimination 

of cost-sharing for clinical preventive 

services as set forth in the Affordable 

Care Act.

• HHS is continuing to develop materials for HealthCare.gov, which provides easy-touse information for consumers in both English and Spanish, to improve consumers’ 

understanding of new coverage options and consumer benefits made available through the 

Affordable Care Act. 

• HHS is working to inform clinicians and providers about the preventive service provisions 

of the Affordable Care Act through educational materials and other outreach to promote 

the available benefits. These efforts include a media campaign to generate broad 

awareness of preventive benefits and encourage people to use them for better health.

Strategic Directions

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Million HeartsTM

Million HeartsTM is a national, public-private initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million HeartsTM was 

launched in September 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in cooperation with the Department of 

Veterans Affairs (VA). It brings together existing efforts and new programs, such as the VA’s Go Red for Women initiative, to improve 

health across communities by focusing on the ABCS (Aspirin for people at risk, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, 

Smoking cessation). Million HeartsTM activities include educational campaigns to empower patients, use of health information 

technology and quality improvement initiatives to improve care delivery, and community efforts to create healthy environments. Learn 

more about Million HeartsTM (http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/).
17

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Encourage adoption of certified 

electronic health record technology 

that meets Meaningful Use criteria, 

particularly those that use clinical 

decision supports and registry 

functionality, send reminders to patients 

for preventive and follow-up care, 

provide patients with timely access to 

their health information (e.g., lab results, 

discharge instructions), identify resources 

available to patients, and incorporate 

privacy and security functions (e.g., 

encrypting health information to keep it 

secure, generating audit logs to record 

actions).

• HHS, through the Health Information Exchange program, supports the aim of seamless 

data interchange between clinical providers, laboratories, and public health officials by 

providing the infrastructure needed to implement and enable data exchange. 

• HHS will continue to use the Standards and Interoperability Framework, which enables 

data exchange by defining data standards to ensure high-quality patient care, including 

providing clinical preventive services. 

• VA will provide veterans (whose identity has been verified) with access to their lab results, 

wellness reminders, and other health information in their medical records securely within 

the veteran web portal called My HealtheVet. This will provide veterans access to key 

portions of their electronic medical information.

Improve use of patient-centered medical 

homes and community health teams, 

which are supported by the Affordable 

Care Act.

• HHS will expand the use of patient-centered medical homes by supporting innovative care 

models (such as the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, the Federally Qualified Health 

Center [FQHC], Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration, and Medicaid Home 

Health) designed to improve care planning, coordination, and delivery. 

• VA will implement a model of patient-centered medical homes, called Patient Aligned 

Care Teams (PACT), throughout the VA health care system in order to provide accessible, 

coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care for veterans.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Electronic Preventive Services Selector

The Electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS) was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide 

primary care clinicians and health care teams decision support regarding screening, counseling, and preventive services for their 

patients. Available on the web or as a downloadable personal digital assistant (PDA) application, the ePSS brings information on 

clinical preventive services to the point of care, enabling clinicians to search and browse U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 

recommendations by specific patient characteristics. In 2011, more than 58,000 individuals downloaded the ePSS to a mobile device, 

and the web-based version of the tool had almost 600,000 visitors. The ePSS was awarded the Apple App Store’s highest 5-star 

rating and ranked in the top 10 iPhone medical apps for internal medicine physicians and residents. Learn more about the Electronic 

Preventive Services Selector (http://epss.ahrq.gov/).
18

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Promote and expand research efforts 

to identify high-priority clinical and 

community preventive services and test 

innovative strategies to support delivery 

of these services.

• HHS continues to educate Americans about evidence-based clinical and community 

preventive programs, services, and policies supported by the U.S. Preventive Services 

Task Force and the Community Preventive Services Task Force through websites such as 

HealthCare.gov and healthfinder.gov. 

• To identify high-priority preventive services and support the delivery of preventive services, 

HHS will conduct research through initiatives such as the Health Care Innovation Challenge 

and Centers for Excellence in Clinical Preventive Services and support evaluation strategies 

through efforts such as the Community Transformation Grants.

• HUD will support research and program evaluations that provide evidence linking 

HUD investments in housing remediation, neighborhood revitalization, and housing 

assistance programs to health promotion and disease prevention including studies of 

1) home interventions to reduce asthma symptoms and injuries and improve outcomes 

for vulnerable populations; 2) neighborhood revitalization investments such as Choice 

Neighborhoods; 3) the effect of housing and related household decisions on childhood 

development; and 4) housing assistance for homeless and older adult populations in 

order to produce evidence showing how HUD investments in housing remediation, 

neighborhood revitalization, and housing assistance programs promote health and prevent 

disease.

• HUD will collaborate with HHS to develop health profiles of HUD-assisted households to 

identify effective combinations of programs and services to improve the health and quality 

of life of residents.

Develop new and improved vaccines, 

enhance understanding of the safety 

of vaccines and vaccination practices, 

support informed vaccine decision 

making, and improve access to and 

better use of recommended vaccines.

• HHS will implement the National Vaccine Plan, a comprehensive strategy to enhance all 

aspects of vaccines and vaccination including research and development, supply, financing, 

distribution, safety, informed decision making by consumers and health care providers, 

surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, monitoring of vaccine effectiveness and use, 

and global cooperation.

Research complementary and alternative 

medicine strategies to determine 

effectiveness and how they can be better 

integrated into clinical preventive care.

• HHS is supporting basic, translational, efficacy, and effectiveness research on 

complementary interventions and approaches to advance the science and practice of 

symptom management, as well as enable better evidence-based decision making regarding 

the use of complementary approaches and their integration into clinical preventive care. 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Veterans Health Library

The Veterans Health Library will provide veterans, their families, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical staff an 

online source of accessible, consistent, up-to-date health information. As part of VA’s efforts to enhance patient-centered care, the 

Veterans Health Library will offer information on a wide range of health topics, including veteran-specific wellness and prevention, 

understanding a diagnosis, making treatment decisions, preparing for a procedure, rehabilitation and recovery, and self-managing 

one’s health. The Veterans Health Library is designed for easy readability and comprehension and will contain resources such as health 

information sheets, videos, and interactive tools when the library is launched in late 2012. Learn more about the Veterans Health 

Library (http://www.veteranshealthlibrary.org/).

Clinical and Community Preventive Services

Strategic Directions
19

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Although policies and programs can make healthy options available, people still have the responsibility to make healthy choices. 

When people have access to actionable and easy-to-understand information and resources, they are empowered to make healthier 

choices. Efforts to educate and motivate people to make healthy choices should occur across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis 

on ensuring that young people are provided with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to allow them to become healthy 

adults. In addition, we should provide knowledge and opportunities that support the unique needs of our growing older adult 

population. 

Empowered People

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Identify and address barriers to the 

dissemination and use of reliable health 

information.

• DOD will conduct data collection and assessment of health-related behaviors, such as 

nutrition and tobacco, to achieve health objectives identified in the National Prevention 

Strategy.

• HHS will implement the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, promoting 

and encouraging departmental activities to identify and address barriers to sharing and 

using reliable health information. An example is providing Americans information about 

Alzheimer’s disease by creating a new website, alzheimers.gov, a one-stop resource for 

patients and families.

• USDA is collaborating with states to improve health information by conducting outreach 

and education at retail sites on contamination of meat and poultry to help prevent 

foodborne illnesses at the retail level.

• VA will implement an online Veterans Health Library within the My HealtheVet web portal, 

which will include veteran-focused information on a range of health topics that has been 

vetted by VA subject matter experts, to provide veterans with evidence-based, reliable, 

useful health information. 

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Provide people with tools and information to make healthy choices.

2. Promote positive social interactions and support healthy decision making.

3. Engage and empower people and communities to plan and implement prevention policies and programs.

4.Improve education and employment opportunities.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Healthy Living Messages Communications Campaign

As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ongoing transformational health care initiatives, the VA National Center for 

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) is reinforcing positive health and lifestyle behaviors in veterans by promoting nine 

“Healthy Living Messages”: Be Involved in Your Health Care, Be Tobacco Free, Eat Wisely, Be Physically Active, Strive for a Healthy Weight, 

Limit Alcohol, Get Recommended Screening Tests & Immunizations, Manage Stress, and Be Safe. In early 2011, the VA launched the 

Healthy Living Messages communications campaign to facilitate meaningful, patient-centered conversations between clinicians and 

veterans. The campaign’s multimedia communications include healthy living posters, handouts, brochures, tip cards, electronic bulletin 

boards, and articles for use and dissemination by VA clinicians at the local facilities. Learn more about the Healthy Living Messages 

Communications Campaign (http://www.prevention.va.gov/).

Strategic Directions
20

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Use plain language in health information 

for the public in alignment with the Plain 

Writing Act.

• DOL, HHS, and the Department of the Treasury issued regulatory guidance in February 

2012 requiring group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide consumers 

and employers clear, understandable, and concise explanations of their health insurance 

benefits and coverage, including preventive services coverage which will allow people to 

make more informed decisions when choosing an insurance plan and coordinating care 

with their providers.

• DOL will continue to require worker training in a language the worker understands and to 

target high risk industries to enhance worksite safety.

• USDA will continue to engage in public education efforts regarding food safety by using 

web-based (FoodSafety.gov) and social media platforms to communicate food safety issues 

to the public. This engagement includes an improved alert system for consumers to receive 

food safety information, such as notification of food recalls.

Support research and evaluation studies 

that examine health literacy factors in 

the study of other issues (e.g., patient 

safety, emergency preparedness, health 

care costs).

• USDA will use consumer research to determine public understanding of product labeling 

and other health messages to enhance outreach and education programs in order to 

encourage healthier and safer food handling and ultimately contribute to preventing 

foodborne illness.

Work to reduce false or misleading 

claims about the health benefits of 

products and services.

• FTC will monitor, identify, and act when it finds marketers making misleading health 

benefit claims for their products to prevent consumer deception and reduce consumers’ 

reliance on unproven remedies. 

• FTC will monitor and report on anticompetitive activity that delays or prevents market 

entry of low-cost generic drugs, to help ensure that consumers have access to competitive 

prescriptions.

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices (e.g., 

understand how choices should be 

presented).

• BIA’s Families and Children’s Education (FACE) will partner with HHS and USDA to develop 

resources and strategies for BIA-funded schools and parents to reduce obesity rates and 

improve the health of Indian youth and support the goals of the Let’s Move! in Indian 

Country initiative.

• CNCS will continue to fund and support the Social Innovation Fund, AmeriCorps VISTA, 

and AmeriCorps State and National programs that will increase physical activity and 

improve nutrition in youth by increasing access to information and activities to reduce 

childhood obesity and enhance access to nutritious, affordable foods.

• DOT will provide consumer-friendly education materials on the DOT website to help 

consumers select particular child safety seats that have been shown to fit well in specific 

vehicles to reduce childhood deaths and injuries.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Tool

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing the Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Tool (C-FERST) to 

assist communities with identifying and prioritizing issues and making decisions about chemical and nonchemical exposures and risks. 

Communities and individuals want to understand their health risks and how to prevent them, but face many obstacles, including 

accessing, integrating, and interpreting data. C-FERST provides a user-friendly tool to promote collaboration and information sharing, 

allowing users to view maps and community reports, and supporting communities in making healthy choices. Learn more about the 

Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Tool (http://www.epa.gov/heasd/c-ferst/).

Empowered People

Strategic Directions
21

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices (e.g., 

understand how choices should be 

presented). (cont.)

• EPA will continue to conduct research to produce data, methods, and approaches that 

provide individuals, communities, and tribes with user-friendly tools and information that 

enable them to 1) more clearly identify issues and define problems associated with health 

equity and sustainability; 2) understand and communicate issues so they can create and 

implement effective policies and programs; and 3) increase their ability to make informed 

personal health choices for themselves and their children. 

• FTC will maintain “Who Cares,” an online resource to help consumers find reliable sources 

of information on health care topics, to help consumers avoid scams, find relevant agencies 

and organizations, and find out whom to contact if a health care product or service does 

not live up to its promises. 

• HHS is empowering consumers to make healthier choices through initiatives aimed at 

healthy eating (e.g., increasing access to healthy food through farmers’ markets), tobacco 

free living (e.g., the release of a public media campaign, increased promotion of cessation 

programs), physical activity (e.g., encouraging walking to school), and other healthy 

behaviors.

• HHS will continue comprehensive and integrated worksite wellness programming, such as 

the Affordable Care Act funded National Healthy WorksiteTM program, to support employee 

wellness efforts and provide tools that can lower employee health risks. 

• USDA will continue to support human nutrition research programs to continue building 

the evidence base on the role of nutrition and physical activity in preventing obesity and 

chronic disease in the United States.

• USDA and The Ad Council, in partnership with HHS, will continue to support a national 

multimedia campaign called Food Safe Families to raise awareness of the risks of foodrelated illnesses and motivate consumers to act to reduce their risk of food-related illnesses 

by learning about safer food handling. 

• VA will implement a “Healthy Living” Communication Campaign for veterans with 

messages about eating wisely, being physically active, being tobacco free, being safe, 

limiting alcohol, getting recommended screening tests and immunizations, managing 

stress, striving for a healthy weight, and being involved in one’s health care to support 

veterans’ making healthy choices.

• VA will support home-based telehealth services for weight management through home 

telehealth devices and interactive voice response systems to improve access to care for 

those not easily able to be seen in clinic visits.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) supports evidence-based chronic disease self-management, empowering older 

adults with diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic illnesses to better control their symptoms and manage their care. Chronic disease 

self-management educates and empowers consumers to adopt healthy behaviors, improve communications with health care providers, 

and enhance quality of life. Education occurs through interactive workshops in community-based settings (such as senior centers, faithbased organizations, libraries, YMCAs, YWCAs, and senior housing programs). Learn more about Chronic Disease Self-Management 

Programs (http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HPW/ARRA/Index.aspx).
22

Elimination of Health Disparities

All Americans should have the opportunity to live long, healthy, independent, and productive lives, regardless of their race or 

ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental health, cognitive, sensory, or physical disability, sexual orientation or 

gender identity, geographic location, or other characteristics. In the United States, health disparities are often closely linked with 

social, economic, or environmental disadvantage. Clear evidence exists that with appropriate focus and investment, health disparities 

can be eliminated while simultaneously improving the health of all Americans. 

Strategic Directions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support and expand cross-sector 

activities to enhance access to highquality education, jobs, economic 

opportunity, and opportunities for 

healthy living (e.g., access to parks, 

grocery stores, and safe neighborhoods).

• DOL and USDA are supporting the multi-agency Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge 

grant competitions to advance approximately 40 high-growth industry clusters in 

economically disadvantaged rural and urban regions across the country reaching disparate 

populations to promote job creation and training, which improve economic security and 

promote access to health insurance coverage and prevention services. 

Identify and map high-need areas that 

experience health disparities and align 

existing resources to meet these needs.

• DOT will reach older adults who are at increased risk of injuries and fatalities by 

partnering with the private sector through programs such as the American Medical 

Association’s curriculum on assessing and counseling older drivers and the work by 

the American Occupational Therapy Association to engage occupational therapists on 

addressing safe driving.

• Consistent with the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, HHS 

will identify high-density health disparity areas throughout the United States and will 

use this information to assess HHS policies and programs and inform efforts to reduce 

disparities.

• HUD, in collaboration with HHS, VA, and other agencies, will identify activities that 

increase access of persons living with HIV/AIDS to housing and other nonmedical support 

services (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, and support services) as part of its efforts to 

implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and improve coordination, leverage resources, 

and engage local partners.

• USDA will invest in rural health care facilities, providing discretionary state director and 

administrator priority scoring points to projects within persistent poverty areas, colonies, 

and tribal communities in order to help eliminate health disparities in the United States.

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Ensure a strategic focus on communities at greatest risk.

2.Reduce disparities in access to quality health care.

3.Increase the capacity of the prevention workforce to identify and address disparities.

4. Support research to identify effective strategies to eliminate health disparities.

5. Standardize and collect data to better identify and address disparities.
23

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Promise Neighborhoods

Promise Neighborhoods is part of the White House’s Neighborhood Revitalization initiative. This collaboration between the White 

House Domestic Policy Council, the White House Office of Urban Affairs, and the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human 

Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Treasury aims to transform 

high-poverty neighborhoods. Led by ED, Promise Neighborhoods aims to address significant challenges faced by students and 

families living in distressed communities by providing resources to plan and implement a continuum of services from early learning 

to college and career with the goal of improving educational and developmental outcomes for children and youth. Services range 

from improving neighborhood health, safety, and stability to expanding access to learning technology and Internet connectivity, 

and boosting family engagement in student learning. By building capacity to revitalize underserved neighborhoods, the Promise 

Neighborhoods program helps eliminate health and educational disparities. Learn more about Promise Neighborhoods

(http://www2.ed.gov/programs/promiseneighborhoods/index.html).

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Increase the availability of de-identified 

national health data to better address the 

needs of underrepresented population 

groups.

• HHS is implementing new standards to enhance data collection for race and ethnicity and 

has standardized data collection requirements for sex, primary language, and disability 

status where appropriate. New standards will improve data estimates on health outcomes 

in disparity and underrepresented populations.

Develop and evaluate community-based 

interventions to reduce health disparities 

and health outcomes.

• DOT has developed programs and activities, such as Parents Central, to reduce disparities 

in child passenger safety among high-risk populations, including low-income families and 

minorities to reduce childhood deaths and injuries.

• HHS is implementing the first ever Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health 

Disparities, outlining specific goals and actions to advance health equity for racial and 

ethnic minorities. The action plan promotes integrated, evidence-based strategies to 

address health disparities such as state, tribal, territorial, and community-based projects 

that give special consideration to health equity, environmental justice, and health across 

the life stages and support the implementation of Healthy People 2020.

• HHS supports community-led programs such as Community Transformation Grants 

and community engagement activities to promote participation in prevention, health 

education, and other efforts to reduce health disparities.

Support policies to reduce exposure to 

environmental and occupational hazards, 

especially among those at greatest risk.

• EPA will work with the agencies in the Federal Interagency Working Group on 

Environmental Justice to support implementing environmental justice strategies that seek 

to reduce exposures to environmental risks and increase access to positive environmental 

and health benefits.

Support and expand training programs 

that bring new and diverse workers 

into the health care and public health 

workforce.

• EPA will support efforts to expand the integration of children’s environmental health into 

health care provider education and practice.

• DOL and HHS are linking community colleges and technical training organizations in rural 

communities to provide workforce training and other resources to expand the number of 

professionals trained in health information technology implementation. 

• HHS recruits health care providers in underserved areas through the National Health 

Service Corps and supports training programs through public health fellowship programs, 

such as the Epidemic Intelligence Service and Public Health Prevention Service, to increase 

the capacity of the health care and public health workforces.
24

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support health center service delivery 

sites in medically underserved areas 

and place primary care providers in 

communities with shortages.

• CNCS, through HealthCorps a component of AmeriCorps, supports medically underserved 

communities by providing preventive health care programs that include health education 

and outreach.

• With funding from the Affordable Care Act, HHS will support health centers and National 

Health Service Corps providers to ensure access to primary care services in underserved 

areas.

Increase dissemination and use of 

evidence-based health literacy practices 

and interventions.

• HHS will continue to support sharing and using evidence-based health literacy practices 

and interventions through programs (such as the Occupational Health Disparities program), 

websites (such as the CDC health literacy website), trainings, conferences, and activities to 

promote prevention and eliminate health disparities.

Elimination of Health Disparities

Strategic Directions

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Environmental Justice Strategies

In February 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led 17 federal agencies and White House offices in releasing 

Environmental Justice Strategies and Annual Implementation Reports. These reports outline specific actions each department will take 

to protect communities at risk for environmental and health hazards, recognizing each agency’s role in ensuring that all communities 

receive the health and environmental protections they deserve. The Environmental Justice Strategies are part of a coordinated federal 

effort to achieve communities in which everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards 

and equal access to the decision making process. Along with the strategies, departments are supporting innovative collaborations 

such as the Environmental Justice Showcase Communities, which brings together public and private partners to help alleviate the 

environmental and human health challenges facing American communities. Learn more about Environmental Justice Strategies

(http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/interagency/).

        
25

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support states, tribes, and communities 

to implement tobacco control 

interventions and policies.

• HHS will continue to enforce tobacco advertising and youth promotion restrictions as well 

as work with states to enforce age compliance checks. 

• HHS will continue to support states, tribes, and communities through the National Tobacco 

Control Program, which works to prevent initiation, promote quitting, eliminate disparities 

among population groups, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke through 

population-based community interventions, counter-marketing, and data collection. 

• HUD is partnering with HHS to encourage the adoption and implementation of smoke free 

multi-unit housing policies among Public Housing Agencies by developing toolkits with 

information about smoke free living and identifying and disseminating best practices in the 

creation of smoke free housing. 

Promote comprehensive tobacco free 

work site, campus, and conference/

meeting policies.

• DOD will implement a comprehensive tobacco control program with special emphasis on 

environmental and primary prevention activities to promote health and mission readiness 

and to lead by example.

• DOD is working to reduce tobacco use on DOD installations to promote health and mission 

readiness, help tobacco users to abstain/quit, and lead by example for all workplaces.

Promote utilization of smoking cessation 

benefits by federal employees, Medicare 

and Medicaid beneficiaries, and active 

duty and military retirees.

• HHS will launch a tobacco website that provides users a single source of information on 

how to access available cessation resources to increase the use of such resources.

Make cessation services more accessible 

and available by implementing 

applicable provisions of the Affordable 

Care Act, including in government health 

care delivery sites.

• HHS is working with partners to implement the expanded tobacco screening and cessation 

services now covered under the Affordable Care Act, including screening and cessation 

interventions for adults, expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users, and full 

coverage for tobacco cessation services for pregnant women in states’ Medicaid programs.

• HHS will continue to match 50 percent of the states’ cost of providing tobacco cessation 

telephone quitline services for Medicaid patients to support convenient delivery of such 

services and maximize successful tobacco cessation rates.

• VA will support the delivery of evidence-based, effective tobacco cessation counseling to 

tobacco users through training health care providers, screening patients for tobacco use, 

offering a variety of cessation services, and monitoring tobacco cessation processes to 

encourage and support smoking cessation efforts of veterans who use tobacco products.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the United States. Living tobacco free reduces a person’s risk 

of developing heart disease, various cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, periodontal disease, asthma and other diseases, 

and of dying prematurely.24 Tobacco free living means avoiding use of all types of tobacco products—such as cigarettes, cigars, 

smokeless tobacco, pipes, and hookahs—and also living free from secondhand smoke exposure.

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Support comprehensive tobacco free and other evidence-based tobacco control policies.

2. Support full implementation of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“Tobacco Control Act”).

3. Expand use of tobacco cessation services. 

4.Use media to educate and encourage people to live tobacco free.

Tobacco Free Living

Priorities
26

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Implement the warnings mandated to 

appear on cigarette packages and in 

cigarette advertisements to include new 

textual warning statements and color 

graphics depicting the negative health 

consequences of tobacco use, as required 

by the Tobacco Control Act.

• HHS announced the final rules requiring larger, more prominent cigarette health warning 

labels with accompanying color graphics in June 2011. 

Research tobacco use and the 

effectiveness of tobacco control 

interventions.

• DOD will consider how the availability of tobacco in military exchanges is contributing 

to tobacco consumption and how strategies outlined in the HHS Best Practices in 

Comprehensive Tobacco Control can improve the health of Military Health System 

beneficiaries and the civilian workforce.

• HHS is supporting the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a largescale national longitudinal cohort study examining the factors that make people susceptible 

to tobacco product use and evaluating use patterns and resulting health problems.

Encourage clinicians and health care 

facilities to record smoking status 

(for patients age 13 years or older) 

and to report on the core clinical 

quality measure for smoking cessation 

counseling, in accordance with the 

Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health 

Records Incentive Program.

• HHS will continue to include measures in its quality reporting programs that promote the 

assessment and treatment of smoking in adolescents and adults.

Tobacco Free Living

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: “Tips From Former Smokers” National Tobacco Education Campaign

In March 2012, with support from the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention Fund, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 

launched a new national education campaign on the dangers of tobacco use. This campaign, “Tips from Former Smokers,” profiles real 

people who are living with the significant adverse health effects of smoking-related diseases, such as heart attack, limb amputations, 

and paralysis from stroke. It promotes calling 800-QUIT-NOW or visiting Smokefree.gov (http://smokefree.gov/) for free help to quit 

smoking. The multimedia campaign includes advertisements broadcast nationally via television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the 

Internet, billboards, bus stops, and movie theaters. Learn more about “Tips From Former Smokers” National Tobacco Education 

Campaign (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/).

Priorities
27

National 

Prevention Council 

Preventing Drug Abuse and Action Plan

Excessive Alcohol Use 

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Foster development of a nationwide 

community-based prevention system 

involving state, tribal, local, and territorial 

governments and partners such as 

schools, health and social service systems, 

law enforcement, faith communities, 

local businesses, and neighborhood 

organizations.

• BIA will partner with HHS and DOJ to communicate with tribes regarding alcohol and 

substance abuse prevention, sharing information about programs as well as available 

resources to help implement these programs.

• ONDCP will continue to provide grants to local coalitions nationwide through its Drug Free 

Communities support program, a program developed to provide resources to communitybased coalitions to develop data-driven strategic plans that increase community 

collaboration to reduce youth substance use.

Enhance linkages between drug 

prevention, substance abuse, mental 

health, and juvenile and criminal justice 

agencies to develop and disseminate 

effective models of prevention and care 

coordination.

• DOL has implemented the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) 

tool at selected YouthBuild program sites and will provide ongoing training for using this 

tool to better identify and address substance abuse among youth in the program. 

• HHS is working with DOJ and community-based service providers through programs such 

as Drug Court programs, the 12 Cities HIV program, the Screening, Brief Intervention, 

and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program, and the Primary and Behavioral Health Care 

Integration program, all of which are intended to improve the integration of substance 

abuse and mental health screening in programs that serve high risk communities.

Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use increases people’s chances of living long, healthy, and productive lives. Excessive 

alcohol use includes binge drinking (i.e., five or more drinks during a single occasion for men, four or more drinks during a single 

occasion for women), underage drinking, drinking while pregnant, and alcohol impaired driving.25 Drug abuse includes any 

inappropriate use of pharmaceuticals (both prescription and over-the counter drugs) and any use of illicit drugs.26 Alcohol and other 

drug use can impede judgment and lead to harmful risk-taking behavior. Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use improves 

quality of life, academic performance, workplace productivity, and military preparedness; reduces crime and criminal justice expenses; 

reduces motor vehicle crashes and fatalities; and lowers health care costs for acute and chronic conditions.27

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Support state, tribal, local, and territorial implementation and enforcement of alcohol control policies.

2.Create environments that empower young people not to drink or use other drugs.

3.Identify alcohol and other drug abuse disorders early and provide brief intervention, referral, and treatment.

4.Reduce inappropriate access to and use of prescription drugs.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: 2012 National Drug Control Strategy

The 2012 National Drug Control Strategy recognizes drug prevention as a part of overall health and specifically aligns drug prevention 

and control efforts with the National Prevention Strategy. The 2012 Drug Control Strategy serves as the nation’s blueprint for reducing 

drug use and its consequences and looks ahead to reform, rebalance, and renew our national drug control policy to address the public 

health and safety challenges of the 21st century. It employs a balance of evidence-based public health and safety reforms to support 

goals including strengthening efforts to prevent drug use in communities; supporting early intervention opportunities in health care; 

breaking the cycle of drug use, crime, delinquency, and incarceration; and improving information systems to better analyze, assess, 

and address drug use and its consequences. Learn more about the 2012 National Drug Control Strategy (http://www.whitehouse.gov/

ondcp/2012-national-drug-control-strategy).

Priorities
28

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Educate health care professionals on 

proper opioid prescribing, Screening, Brief 

Intervention, and Referral to Treatment 

(SBIRT), and effective use of prescription 

drug monitoring programs.

• Through curricula development and programs such as those aimed at medical residency 

training, HHS will support increased use of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to 

Treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol abuse and misuse to reduce excessive alcohol consumption 

and alcohol-related deaths.

• HHS is educating health care providers about preventing prescription painkiller overdoses 

and is developing educational materials for prescribers and patients on the appropriate 

use and disposal of pain relievers through programs such as the Opioid Risk Evaluation and 

Mitigation Strategies program. 

• ONDCP will continue collaborating with HHS to issue and implement a Surgeon General’s 

Call to Action on Prescription Drug Abuse Among Youth as part of fulfillment of the 

National Drug Control Strategy.

Educate and inform consumers regarding 

the risks and benefits of regulated 

products using strategies appropriate to 

culture, language, and literacy skills (e.g., 

prescription drug safety and side effects, 

public health alerts, general information 

about safe and appropriate medication use).

• FTC will continue to expand awareness of the FTC tool “We Don’t Serve Teens” (WDST) 

among states, industry, schools, and law enforcement to encourage them to distribute 

WDST campaign materials, including free stickers and radio ads, in their communities to 

reduce underage drinking, including binge drinking.

Conduct ongoing, independent, and 

brand-specific monitoring of youth 

exposure to alcohol marketing in order 

to ensure compliance with advertising 

standards.

• FTC will continue to promote improvements in voluntary alcohol industry guidelines of 

the beer, wine, and spirits industries relating to the placement and content of alcohol 

advertising, to better protect youth under 21 from exposure to alcohol marketing.

• FTC will continue to monitor and report on alcohol industry self-regulatory efforts by 

requiring companies to report on expenditures and promotional activities to assess any 

changes in marketing practices, provide data for researchers, and inform recommendations. 

Promote implementation of interoperable 

state prescription drug monitoring 

programs.

• HHS is working to expand the interoperability of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs 

and has completed recommendations for data content and vocabulary standards, 

information usability and presentation, and transport and architecture. 

Develop programs consistent with Drug 

Enforcement Agency regulations that provide 

easily accessible, environmentally responsible 

ways to properly dispose of medications.

• DOJ, EPA, and HHS will increase awareness on methods of safe and effective drug return 

and disposal consistent with ONDCP’s National Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.

Provide education, outreach, and training 

to address parity in employment-based 

group health plans and health insurance 

coverage for substance use disorders.

• DOL and HHS will continue to provide information to consumers about the Mental Health 

Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 through providing online resources and educating 

individuals on available mental health and substance use disorder resources.

Further investigate and heighten attention 

to issues related to driving under the 

influence of illicit and prescription drugs.

• ONDCP will work with HHS on developing testing standards to detect drug use among 

drivers to facilitate the enforcement of existing drugged driving laws.

• ONDCP will collaborate with DOT on drugged driving data collection to understand and 

improve strategies to prevent drugged driving.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: National Prevention Week

For the first time in May 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration sponsored a National Prevention Week. The week’s theme, We are the ones. How are you taking action?, emphasized 

opportunities to prevent substance abuse and promote mental health. Each day had a unique focus, including Prevention of Underage 

Drinking, Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Use, and Prevention of Alcohol Abuse. A Prevention Pledge webpage 

links participants with resources and encourages using social media for delivering prevention messages. Learn more about National 

Prevention Week (http://www.samhsa.gov/preventionweek/).

Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use 

Priorities
29

National 

Prevention Council 

Healthy Eating Action Plan

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Work to ensure that foods purchased, 

distributed, or served in federal 

programs and settings meet standards 

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans.

• DOD will consider strategies for promoting healthy eating choices in food service 

operations on DOD installations, including menu guidelines, to promote mission readiness 

and health.

• HHS is implementing the HHS/GSA Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Federal 

Concessions and Vending Operations as a means of empowering employees to make 

healthy choices.

• USDA will work with states and local schools to align school meals to new nutrition 

standards in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, which 

were completed in January 2012 and based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 

Doing so will ensure that the meals properly support good nutrition and a healthy weight 

for America’s school children.

• VA is implementing a policy requiring food served in VA medical facilities, cafeterias, 

canteens, and vending machines to meet nutrition standards, such as providing nutritional 

information and labeling and appropriate portion sizes, and is supporting the development 

of teaching kitchens for veterans in order to support healthy eating practices.

Improve agricultural policies to better 

align with the nutrition goals of the 

Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• HHS and USDA will address the availability of healthy food in underserved communities 

through program strategies (e.g., farmers markets, farm stands, community gardens, and 

community supported agriculture) to help individuals meet nutritional goals outlined in 

the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.

Strengthen the nation’s comprehensive 

food safety system.

• HHS will ensure a food safety system that includes rigorous standards for food safety, data 

collection and analysis for effective food safety inspections, and tools to help prevent or 

quickly identify and stop outbreaks.

• USDA and HHS are developing methods to better document and attribute foodborne 

illnesses to regulated food products to improve agency understanding of the products that 

pose the greatest risk to the public’s health and identify ways to reduce that risk.

Eating healthy can help reduce people’s risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and several types of 

cancer, as well as help them maintain a healthy body weight.28 As described in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, 

eating healthy means consuming a variety of nutritious foods and beverages, especially vegetables, fruits, low-fat and fat-free dairy 

products, and whole grains; limiting intake of saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium; keeping trans fat intake as low as possible; 

and balancing caloric intake with calories burned to manage body weight.29 Safe eating means ensuring that food is free from harmful 

contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses.30

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1.Increase access to healthy and affordable foods in communities.

2.Implement organizational and programmatic nutrition standards and policies.

3.Improve nutritional quality of the food supply.

4.Help people recognize and make healthy food and beverage choices.

5. Support policies and programs that promote breastfeeding.

6. Enhance food safety.

Priorities
30

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Monitor marketing to children. • FTC will continue to monitor and report on the marketing of food to children (e.g., 

expenditures and promotional activities) to assess any changes in marketing practices, 

provide data for researchers, and inform recommendations.

Support initiatives to increase the 

availability of healthy and affordable 

foods in underserved urban, rural, and 

frontier communities.

• USDA will improve access to healthy food from local and regional food systems by 

supporting school cafeterias, food banks and pantries, community kitchens, farmers 

markets, and community gardens to help Americans achieve a healthy diet. 

Implement the menu labeling provisions 

of the Affordable Care Act to help 

provide consistent facts about food 

choices in chain restaurants.

• HHS has issued proposed rules on the provisions of the Affordable Care Act on nutrition 

labeling in chain restaurants and vending machines to support consumer access to nutrition 

information on foods consumed outside the home.

Provide information, tools, and expertise 

to help Americans understand and apply 

the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 

(e.g., MyPlate).

• DOD will implement a nutrition educational initiative across medical and community 

platforms to improve behaviors that can help prevent and reduce obesity among Military 

Health System beneficiaries and the civilian workforce.

• USDA will implement effective evidence-based strategies through national outreach such 

as Cooperative Extension and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education programs to help 

those with limited resources acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for nutritionally 

sound diets. 

• USDA will work with HHS to implement and translate the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 

2010 through tools and resources for nutrition educators, health professionals, and 

consumers to support healthy food choices and physical activity.

Support breastfeeding, including 

implementing the breastfeeding 

provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

• DOD will implement initiatives in its medical facilities that encourage military beneficiaries 

to breastfeed infants through six months, as suggested by the Joint Commission’s Perinatal 

Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding, to promote infant health and improve 

maternal/infant bonding.

• DOL, by administering section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act, ensures breastfeeding 

female employees of covered employers have reasonable break time and space (e.g., a 

place, other than a bathroom, shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers 

and the public) to express breast milk for their nursing children for one year after the 

child’s birth.

• HHS is implementing policies and programs such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative 

and the Breastfeeding Report Card to improve maternity care, support breastfeeding, and 

increase the number of Baby-Friendly Hospitals.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: FoodCorps

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) supports FoodCorps, a program that recruits young adults for a yearlong 

term of public service in school food systems in communities of need. Service members build and tend school gardens, conduct 

nutrition education, and build farm to school supply chains. The program responds to evidence from Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS) data indicating that school gardens and farm to school programs are powerful tools in the battle to overcome 

childhood obesity. Learn more about FoodCorps (http://www.food-corps.org).

Healthy Eating

Priorities
31

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Implement programs and regulations 

to increase access to healthy food 

and eliminate food insecurity (e.g., 

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and USDA 

HealthierUS School Challenge).

• DOD will standardize the assessment of nutritional environments in DOD facilities and 

incorporate findings to improve healthy eating options and promote nutritional fitness and 

healthy weight across military communities.

• DOD will implement evidence-based strategies to promote healthy eating choices 

in commissaries and military exchanges to encourage patrons to consume healthy, 

wholesome, and nutritious food items.

• USDA is working with schools across the nation to increase the number of schools certified 

under the HealthierUS School Challenge, a voluntary initiative recognizing schools that 

have created healthier school environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity, to 

help raise a healthier generation of kids.

Improve and expand the use of existing 

food and nutrition systems to track 

changes in eating patterns and conduct 

research to identify effective approaches.

• DOD will leverage existing surveys to better measure National Prevention Strategy key 

indicators.

• DOD will standardize surveillance of obesity and weight to objectively measure obesity 

and overweight prevalence among Military Health System beneficiaries and the civilian 

workforce.

• USDA will conduct the national nutrition dietary survey, i.e.,”USDA’s What We Eat in 

America/National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES),” to evaluate food 

and nutrient consumption and eating patterns of Americans.
32

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Promote the development of 

transportation options and systems that 

encourage active transportation and 

accommodate diverse needs.

• DOT will promote a pedestrian safety education program for state agencies to educate 

older adults on pedestrian safety to promote safe, active living among this population.

• DOT will encourage communities to provide safe and convenient facilities for active modes 

of transportation, such as increased bike lanes, in order to support livable communities 

and increase transportation options.

• DOT will educate health stakeholders including federal, state, and community leaders 

about the planning and decision making process of transportation in order to expand 

active transportation opportunities.

• DOT will encourage states to develop comprehensive Safe Routes to School programs to 

encourage and increase the number of children, including those with disabilities, walking 

and biking to school.

Support adoption of active living 

principles in community design, such as 

mixed land use, compact design, and 

inclusion of safe and accessible parks and 

green space.

• USDA will engage diverse and underserved communities through programs such as 

“National Get Outdoors Day” and “National Public Lands Day” and plan to increase 

participation in healthful outdoor recreation activities and support active living.

Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most important things that people of all ages can do to improve their health. 

Physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, reduces stress and depression, and makes it easier to maintain a healthy body weight 

or to reduce weight if overweight or obese.31 Even people who do not lose weight get substantial benefits from regular physical 

activity, including lower rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.32 Healthy physical activity includes aerobic activity, 

muscle strengthening activities, and activities to increase balance and flexibility. As described by the Physical Activity Guidelines for 

Americans, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, and children and teenagers should 

engage in at least one hour of activity each day.33

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Encourage community design and development that supports physical activity.

2. Promote and strengthen school and early learning policies and programs that increase physical activity.

3. Facilitate access to safe, accessible, and affordable places for physical activity.

4. Support workplace policies and programs that increase physical activity.

5.Assess physical activity levels and provide education, counseling, and referrals.

Active Living

Priorities

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation

The Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR), created in 2011, supports and enhances outdoor recreation access 

and opportunities on federal public lands, waters, and shores. FICOR promotes coordination and collaboration among federal agencies 

whose missions or programs include providing outdoor recreation amenities or opportunities and conserving or managing natural and 

cultural resources used or visited for outdoor recreation. The Department of the Interior, Department of Health and Human Services 

(HHS), and Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others are collaborators. FICOR supports the 

goals of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which has created increased opportunities for physical activity and health integration 

into outdoor education and grant programs, including the USDA Forest Service’s More Kids in the Woods program. Learn more about 

America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/).
33

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support coordinated, comprehensive, 

and multicomponent programs and 

policies to encourage physical activity 

and physical education, especially in 

schools and early learning centers.

• BIA will implement a standardized health and wellness policy across BIA-operated schools 

and inform Tribally Controlled Schools of the opportunity for adoption to improve health 

and wellness in the school environment and to support the goals of the Let’s Move! in 

Indian Country initiative.

• ED proposes a streamlined Successful, Safe, and Healthy Students program to fund 

competitive grants to state educational agencies and high-need local educational agencies 

and their partners to develop and carry out programs and activities to improve school 

climate and students’ physical health, mental health, and well-being so that students are 

able to focus on learning.

• HHS supports the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition by promoting the 

Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and supports Healthy People 2020’s national objectives 

for early and middle childhood and physical activity.

• HHS will incorporate physical activity recommendations and opportunities into the 

program performance standards for Head Start and Early Head Start.

Develop and disseminate clinical 

guidelines, best practices, and tools on 

increasing physical activity and reducing 

the number of overweight and obese 

individuals.

• HHS will disseminate tools and resources to promote the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines 

for Americans and support parents, caregivers, and communities as part of the We Can! 

(Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) program to help children maintain a 

healthy weight.

• HHS will continue to bring together teams from primary care, public health, and 

community-based organizations to identify, test, and evaluate evidence-based program 

and policy changes to prevent and treat obesity and overweight. 

• VA will implement the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans for those who 

are obese or overweight through individual and group visits, telephone-based coaching, 

home telehealth, and web-based services to help veterans lose weight, keep it off, and 

improve their health.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Let’s Move! in Indian Country

Let’s Move! in Indian Country was launched in May 2011 by the White House Council on Domestic Policy, the Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS) Indian Health Services, the Departments of Interior, Education (ED), Agriculture (USDA), and the 

Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) as part of Let’s Move!. That comprehensive initiative is dedicated to solving 

the problem of obesity within a generation so that children born today will grow up healthier. The initiative engages tribal leaders, 

schools, urban Indian centers and other community organizations and provides culturally appropriate health resources and training 

to promote physical activity, breastfeeding, and healthy eating. Learn more about Let’s Move! in Indian Country (http://www.doi.gov/

letsmove/indiancountry/).
34

Injury and Violence Free Living

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support state, tribal, local, and territorial 

agencies in implementing, strengthening, 

and enforcing transportation safety 

policies and programs.

• BIA will engage with partners in Safe Routes to School to communicate and plan methods 

to improve major school bus transportation routes for the safety of children and increase 

physical activity among students.

• DOT will seek to increase seatbelt use by promoting high-visibility enforcement, nighttime 

enforcement, and programs targeting high-risk populations to reduce motor vehicle related 

fatalities and injuries.

• DOT, in collaboration with HHS, is promoting increased use of ignition interlocks and close 

supervision of impaired driving offenders in order to prevent alcohol impaired driving 

crashes and related injuries and fatalities.

• DOT will continue to provide a pedestrian and bicycle safety curriculum called “Walk and 

Bike Safely” for use by teachers and volunteers working with beginning English language 

learners to promote road safety.

Enhance enforcement of current safety 

regulations, provide training and 

technical assistance to improve worker 

safety, and empower workers to report 

health and safety concerns.

• DHS is providing Medical Countermeasures to key personnel to carry out its mission while 

simultaneously protecting its key personnel in the event of a biological, chemical, or 

radiologic national security incident.

• DOL is inspecting and responding to workplace violence to protect workers from workplace 

violence. 

• DOL will enhance enforcement of regulations, including designing outreach and education, 

to improve disease and injury prevention by focusing on mine operators’ responsibilities to 

anticipate, recognize, and control mining hazards.

• DOL will reduce chronic lung diseases from mining exposures through improved 

enforcement, outreach, education, and stakeholder engagement.

• VA will implement a program for safe patient handling, including staff protocols and tools, 

in all Veterans Health Administration facilities in order to decrease musculoskeletal injuries 

among employees.

Reducing injury and violence improves physical and emotional health. The leading causes of death from unintentional injury include 

motor vehicle-related injuries, unintended poisoning (addressed in the “Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use” chapter), 

and falls.34 Witnessing or being a victim of violence (e.g., child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner and sexual violence, 

bullying, and elder abuse) are linked to lifelong negative physical, emotional, and social consequences.35

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1.Implement and strengthen policies and programs to enhance transportation safety.

2. Support community and streetscape design that promotes safety and prevents injuries.

3. Promote and strengthen policies and programs to prevent falls, especially among older adults.

4. Promote and enhance policies and programs to increase safety and prevent injury in the workplace.

5. Strengthen policies and programs to prevent violence.

6. Provide individuals and families with the knowledge, skills, and tools to make safe choices that prevent violence and injuries.

Priorities
35

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Develop and test innovative and 

promising strategies to prevent injuries 

and violence.

• DOT will continue to research the vehicular and human factors that lead to distracted 

driving, such as vehicle interfaces and portable devices, to build the evidence base on 

preventing injury and fatalities related to distracted driving. 

• DOT will continue to research strategies to improve motor vehicle safety through the 

Intelligent Transportation Systems program, which supports innovative vehicle safety 

research such as Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) connectivity technologies. 

• DOT will conduct a multipronged effort to protect children from injuries that occur in 

and around passenger vehicles, including hyperthermia, driveway backovers, and trunk 

entrapments.

• HHS is supporting evaluation and research of violence and injury prevention programs, 

including developing collaborative strategies to reduce falls in the older population, 

supporting evidence-based violence prevention initiatives, and evaluating state and local 

injury prevention programs.

Educate adults and youth on actions 

they can take to prevent injury at 

home, work, and school, and in their 

communities.

• BIA will coordinate with HHS to provide information and training on de-escalation 

techniques to schools to promote the safety and well-being of students and staff.

• HHS has released the National Action Plan for Child Injury Prevention, which informs 

national and local efforts to reduce the burden of injury among children.

• HHS will continue to support and improve outreach efforts in injury and violence 

prevention through efforts such as the “Protect the Ones You Love” and “Heads Up” 

initiatives.

• DOL is working to ensure that youth enjoy positive work experiences that do not 

jeopardize their health, well-being, or education. 

• DOT will promote use of motorcycle and bicycle helmets by providing educational 

materials on the DOT website to help reduce the probability of death and serious injury 

among riders.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention

In April 2012, the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention unveiled a new online toolkit, which provides technical assistance 

to cities across the country that want to adopt the forum’s comprehensive approach. The forum is a network of communities and 

federal agencies, including Departments of Justice (DOJ), Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban 

Development (HUD), Labor (DOL), and the Office on National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) that work together, share information 

and build local capacity to prevent and reduce youth violence. The new online toolkit is designed to help communities develop 

multidisciplinary partnerships and develop and implement strategic plans driven by local data, with a combination of prevention, 

intervention, enforcement, and reentry strategies. Learn more about the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention

(http://www.findyouthinfo.gov/youth-topics/preventing-youth-violence).
36

Reproductive and Sexual Health

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Increase access to comprehensive 

preconception and prenatal care, 

especially for low-income and at-risk 

women.

• DOL ensures that federal contractors and subcontractors are not discriminated against 

on the basis of pregnancy or medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth in 

employment decisions (e.g., hiring, firing, pay, benefits, job assignments, promotions, 

layoffs, job training, and recruitment).

• HHS will continue to support the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program, 

the Health Center Program, and the Title X Family Planning program, which provide access 

to care (from preconception through postpartum) for low-income and at-risk women. 

• With the partnership of the VA/DOD Pregnancy Working Group, VA will continue to provide 

patient and evidence-based clinician education in support of quality preconception and 

prenatal care.

Research and disseminate ways to 

effectively prevent premature birth, 

birth defects, and Sudden Infant Death 

Syndrome (SIDS).

• HHS, through the Strong Start initiative, is testing and evaluating enhanced prenatal care 

for low-income women at risk for having a preterm birth. 

• HHS will implement the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) initiative, aimed at 

improving the investigation and reporting of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and 

other SUID, to monitor trends and identify those at risk in order to prevent SUID.

Support states, tribes, and communities 

to implement evidence-based sexual 

health education.

• HHS, through the Personal Responsibility and Education Program, will support state efforts 

to provide evidence-based sexual health education to reduce teen pregnancy rates.

Healthy reproductive and sexual practices can play a critical role in enabling people to remain healthy and actively contribute to their 

community. Planning and having a healthy pregnancy is vital to the health of women, infants, and families and is especially important 

in preventing teen pregnancy and childbearing, which will help raise educational attainment, increase employment opportunities, and 

enhance financial stability.36 Access to quality health services and support for safe practices can improve physical and emotional wellbeing and reduce teen and unintended pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).37

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1.Increase use of preconception and prenatal care.

2. Support reproductive and sexual health services and support services for pregnant and parenting women.

3. Provide effective sexual health education, especially for adolescents.

4. Enhance early detection of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STIs and improve linkage to care.

Priorities

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Strong Start

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the Strong Start initiative in February 2012 to help clinicians deliver 

evidence-based prenatal care, help women make healthy decisions during pregnancy, and ensure more babies are born healthy. The 

initiative has two parts—reducing elective deliveries (prior to 39 weeks) for pregnant women and testing enhanced prenatal care for 

women covered by Medicaid who are at risk for having a preterm birth. Strong Start will leverage public-private partnerships, disseminate 

best practice policies, and test innovative interventions to expand access to care, improve care coordination, and provide a broader array 

of health services. Learn more about the Strong Start initiative (http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Strong-Start/index.html).
37

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Promote and disseminate national 

screening recommendations for HIV and 

other STIs.

• HHS will promote HIV and STI screenings that follow evidence-based guidelines at 

federally supported health centers and through outreach campaigns (such as Testing Makes 

Us Stronger; One Test, Two Lives; Take Charge, Take the Test) to reduce risks among sexually 

active individuals.

• HHS will continue to implement the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment 

of Viral Hepatitis, which focuses on preventing viral hepatitis, increasing the proportion of 

people who are aware of their infections, and improving access to care and treatment.

• VA will promote screening for HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections 

through print, web-based, and in-person patient and clinician education to support testing 

and treatment of these conditions.

Promote and disseminate best practices 

and tools to reduce behavioral risk 

factors (e.g., sexual violence, alcohol and 

other drug use) that contribute to high 

rates of HIV/STIs and teen pregnancy.

• HHS will integrate HIV screening and prevention services into substance abuse treatment 

programs, as appropriate, to improve health outcomes. 

• HHS supports the replication of evidence-based models to reduce teen pregnancies, STIs, 

and sexual risk behaviors.

Encourage HIV testing and treatment, 

align programs to better identify people 

living with HIV, and link those who test 

positive to care.

• HHS will continue to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which focuses on 

reducing new HIV infections through screening and targeted prevention and on improving 

support for people living with HIV by increasing access to and retention in high-quality 

care. 

Research and disseminate effective 

methods to prevent intimate partner 

violence and sexual violence.

• HHS will use data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey to inform 

intimate partner and domestic violence prevention programs across the country.

• HHS will promote interpersonal violence screening and counseling, as recommended 

under the Institute of Medicine Guidelines on Women’s Preventive Services.
38

Mental and Emotional Well-being

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of National Prevention Council department abbreviations and descriptions.

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Improve access to high-quality mental 

health services and facilitate integration 

of mental health services into a range 

of clinical and community settings (e.g., 

Federally Qualified Health Centers, 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities).

• HHS will work with states, territories, and tribal governments to integrate mental health 

services and promote the expansion of behavioral health services in clinics, communities, 

and health care settings, especially those that serve youth, tribal communities, and military 

families.

• VA will continue to provide a best practice for suicide prevention through the National 

Veterans Crisis Line, a 24/7 telephone, text, and live chat service, to connect veterans in 

crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders and decrease the 

incidence of intentional injuries.

Support programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly.

• DHS will implement the DHSTogether program, a department-wide program for employee 

and organizational resilience designed to promote the health and well-being of the entire 

DHS workforce and ensure that employees have the tools and resources for balancing 

work-life issues and thereby reducing sick leave, absenteeism, and stress.

• DHS will work with its employee assistance programs to make available preventive health 

educational and clinical programs to improve the psychological and physical well-being of 

its workforce.

• DOD will work to ensure its ability to identify and respond to DOD beneficiaries’ mental 

health needs in order to promote mental and emotional well-being.

Mental and emotional well-being is essential to overall health. Positive mental health allows people to realize their full potential, cope with 

the stresses of life, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Early childhood experiences have lasting, 

measurable consequences later in life; therefore, fostering emotional well-being from the earliest stages of life helps build a foundation 

for overall health and well-being. Anxiety, mood (e.g., depression), and impulse control disorders are associated with a higher probability 

of risk behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, risky sexual behavior), intimate partner and family violence, many other 

chronic and acute conditions (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV/STIs), and premature death.38

National Prevention Strategy Recommendations 

1. Promote positive early childhood development, including positive parenting and violence-free homes.

2. Facilitate social connectedness and community engagement across the lifespan.

3. Provide individuals and families with the support necessary to maintain positive mental well-being.

4. Promote early identification of mental health needs and access to quality services.

Priorities
39

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Support programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly. (cont.)

• DOL, by administering the Family and Medical Leave Act, provides workplace flexibilities 

to eligible employees of covered employers. These flexibilities enable employees to 

balance work and personal life when certain family and medical care necessities arise (e.g., 

serious health condition of the employee, their parent, child, or spouse, or for certain 

military family leave reasons). They provide unpaid, job-protected leave, with continuation 

of health insurance coverage, under the same terms and conditions as if an employee had 

not taken leave. 

• HHS is working with employers and partners to promote and implement the Employer’s 

Guide to Emotional Wellness and the Employer’s Guide to Behavioral Health Services to ensure 

that employees have access to tools and resources for balancing their work and personal 

lives. 

Provide tools, guidance, and best 

practices to promote positive early 

childhood and youth development and 

prevent child abuse.

• BIA will partner with HHS and Safe School specialists to provide information and on-site 

training on suicide prevention and bullying prevention for schools serving American Indian 

students. 

• DOJ, through the Defending Childhood initiative, will continue to support comprehensive 

community-based projects to prevent and reduce the impact of exposure to violence on 

children and their families, schools, and communities.

• DOJ will support professionals working with vulnerable children by coordinating federal, 

state, local, and tribal efforts to protect drug-endangered children. DOJ will identify 

model protocols and promising practices and coordinate professional training programs to 

promote positive early childhood and youth development and prevent child abuse.

• ED will continue its Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant competition 

supporting state-based efforts to increase the number and percentage of low-income 

and disadvantaged children enrolled early in high-quality, integrated learning programs 

and services. Those program and services follow the recommendations of the National 

Research Council’s reports on early childhood to improve early learning and development 

programs for young children.

• HHS will promote prevention programs for child and family service settings that support 

healthy development and reduce exposure to violence and risk factors for trauma, such as 

Project Launch, Safe Schools/Healthy Students, and Triple P–Positive Parenting Program®. 

• HHS provides tools, such as Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: 

A Network for Action 2012 Resource Guide, to service providers working with parents, 

caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: StopBullying.gov

In March 2012, the Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) re-launched StopBullying.gov, a 

comprehensive, interactive website that provides detailed information, policies, interactive webisodes and videos for young people, 

practical strategies for schools and communities to ensure safe environments, and suggestions on how parents can talk about this 

sensitive subject with their children. The enhanced site responds to feedback from the March 2011 White House Conference on 

Bullying Prevention and the September 2011 Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit that awareness alone will not prevent 

bullying. The site now gives concrete steps that students, parents, educators, and community members can take to prevent and stop 

bullying. Learn more about StopBullying.gov (http://www.stopbullying.gov).
40

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions

National Prevention Council Department Actions

Provide easy-to-use information about 

mental and emotional well-being for 

consumers, especially groups that 

experience unique stressors (e.g., U.S. 

Armed Forces, firefighters, police officers, 

and other emergency response workers).

• DHS will conduct “Resilience Symposiums,” workshops on health and wellness on an 

annual or biannual basis to empower employees to take an active role and responsibility in 

their health and wellness.

• DOL will raise awareness among employers, group health plans, and issuers about benefits 

under the Mental Health Parity Act and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act 

through outreach and training to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace.

• HHS, through their Strategic Initiative on Public Awareness and Support, is disseminating 

evidence-based and emerging information and working with partners through the 

Outreach Partnership Program to address the mental health needs within high-risk 

populations.

• VA has implemented a mobile phone application called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

(PTSD) Coach that helps users learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur 

after trauma. This application includes information on PTSD and treatments, tools for 

screening and tracking symptoms, information about easy-to-use skills to help people 

handle stress symptoms, and links to support and help, to provide interactive, reliable 

mental health resources for patients with PTSD. 

• VA launched, in 2011, the web-based campaign, Make the Connection, that describes how 

veterans of all service eras, genders, and races successfully sought help for mental health 

services in an effort to encourage veterans to seek care. 

Research policies and programs 

that enhance mental and emotional 

well-being, especially for potentially 

vulnerable populations.

• HHS supports translational and health services research to better prevent and treat mental 

illness and to promote dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions.

        

Mental and Emotional Well-being

Priorities
41

National 

Prevention Council 

Moving Forward Action Plan

The National Prevention Council Action Plan demonstrates how the National Prevention Council is working across sectors to implement the 

recommendations and actions of the National Prevention Strategy. Similar to the National Prevention Strategy, this action plan is dynamic 

and will evolve as the needs, interests, and priorities of the nation change.

As reflected in this action plan, the National Prevention Council is committed to improving the health and well-being of our nation. As 

federal leaders in prevention, the National Prevention Council departments will work together to achieve their commitments and continue 

to take actions that align to the Strategic Directions and Priorities of the National Prevention Strategy. 

The National Prevention Council recognizes the importance of partners and their role as trusted members of the communities and 

populations they serve. The National Prevention Strategy encourages partnerships among federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial 

governments, business, industry, and other private sector partners, health care systems, insurers, and clinicians, early learning centers, 

schools, colleges, and universities, community, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations, and individual Americans to improve health 

through prevention.

Improvements in health are amplified when those working both within and outside of government consider opportunities to address 

prevention and wellness. Continued effective implementation of the National Prevention Strategy will require ongoing leadership, focus on 

the Strategic Directions and Priorities, and engagement of both public and private partners. Together, we can work to improve the health 

and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities and move the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on 

prevention and wellness.
42

National Prevention Council Department 

Abbreviations and Descriptions

Abbreviations

Abbreviation National Prevention Council Member

BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs

CNCS Corporation for National and Community Service 

DHS Department of Homeland Security

DOD Department of Defense

DOJ Department of Justice

DOL Department of Labor

DOT Department of Transportation

DPC Domestic Policy Council

ED Department of Education

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FTC Federal Trade Commission

HHS Department of Health and Human Services

HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development

OMB Office of Management and Budget

ONDCP Office of National Drug Control Policy

USDA Department of Agriculture

VA Department of Veterans Affairs

Descriptions

Department Description

Bureau Indian Affairs (BIA) The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides services to American Indians and Alaska Natives through 

contracts, grants, and compacts. Additionally, BIA is responsible for the management and 

administration of protected land held in trust by the United States for American Indians and Alaska 

Natives.

Corporation for National and 

Community Service (CNCS)

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five 

million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other 

programs and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. To support 

the American culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, CNCS manages grants that promote 

service and volunteering.

Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security aims to prevent, protect, and respond to domestic threats 

including terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and manmade accidents. Separate from the Department of 

Defense, DHS works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within and outside its borders. 

Department of Defense (DOD) The Department of Defense coordinates and supervises all agencies and functions of the government 

concerned directly with national security and the United States armed forces. 

Department of Justice (DOJ) The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interests of the United States according 

to the law. DOJ ensures public safety against both foreign and domestic threats and provides federal 

leadership in preventing and controlling crime. In its role, DOJ seeks just punishment for those guilty of 

unlawful behavior and ensures fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

Department of Labor (DOL) The Department of Labor fosters, promotes, and develops the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, 

and retirees of the United States. Through striving to improve working conditions, the DOL advances 

opportunities for profitable employment and assures work-related benefits and rights.

Appendix 1
43

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department Description

Department of Transportation 

(DOT)

The Department of Transportation oversees interstate travel in the United States. DOT works to provide 

a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets the nation’s needs 

and enhances the quality of life of the American people.

Domestic Policy Council (DPC) The Domestic Policy Council coordinates the domestic policy-making process in the White House and 

offers advice to the President. DPC also supervises the execution of domestic policy and represents the 

President’s priorities to Congress.

Department of Education (ED) The Department of Education promotes student achievement and prepares students for global 

competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to education. ED 

establishes policies on federal financial aid for education. In addition, ED collects data on America’s 

schools and disseminates research findings to the public. ED strives to achieve national support on key 

educational issues.

Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency serves to protect human health and reduce environmental 

risks by promoting conservation of natural resources and providing scientific guidance related to 

environmental issues. 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The Federal Trade Commission serves to prevent business practices that are anticompetitive, deceptive, 

or unfair to consumers and to enhance informed consumer choice and public understanding of the 

competitive process. 

Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS)

The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government’s principal agency for 

protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who 

are least able to help themselves. 

Department of Housing and 

Urban Development (HUD)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development works to create strong, sustainable, inclusive 

communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD realizes accessible housing is a platform 

for improving quality of life and strives to build inclusive and sustainable communities free from 

discrimination.

Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB)

The core mission of the Office of Management and Budget is to serve the President of the United 

States in implementing his vision across the Executive Branch and assist the President in overseeing the 

preparation of the federal budget. In helping to formulate the President’s spending plans, the OMB 

evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, assesses competing funding 

demands among agencies, and sets funding priorities. OMB also guides the federal procurement 

process, coordinates and reviews all significant federal regulations by executive agencies, and provides 

coordination to ensure consistency of agency legislative views and proposals with Presidential policy.

Office of National Drug Control 

Policy (ONDCP)

The Office of the National Drug Control Policy advises the President on drug-control issues, coordinates 

drug-control activities, and produces the annual National Drug Control Strategy, which outlines 

Administration efforts to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing and trafficking, drug-related crime and 

violence, and drug-related health consequences.

Department of Agriculture 

(USDA)

The Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing and executing federal government policy 

on farming, agriculture, and food. The USDA works to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, 

promote agricultural trade and production, assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural 

communities, and end hunger in the United States and abroad.

Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for administering programs of benefit to veterans, 

their families and survivors. Benefits provided by the VA include disability compensation, pension, 

education, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivors’ benefits, medical benefits, 

and burial benefits. The Veterans Health Administration is home to the United States’ largest 

integrated health care system consisting of 152 medical centers, nearly 1,400 community-based 

outpatient clinics, community living centers, Vet Centers, and Domiciliaries. Together these health care 

facilities and the more than 53,000 independent licensed health care practitioners who work within 

them provide comprehensive care to more than 8.3 million veterans each year. 
44

The National Prevention Council identified commitments prioritized on the basis of its potential to improve health, engage multiple 

departments, and apply existing federal experience, models, and tools. The National Prevention Council commitments include the 

following:

• Identify opportunities to consider prevention and health within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do 

so voluntarily as appropriate.

• Increase tobacco free environments within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as 

appropriate.

• Increase access to healthy, affordable food within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily 

as appropriate.

The National Prevention Council developed a framework to provide its departments an actionable, standardized approach for advancing 

these commitments. The framework provides a short- and mid- to long-term approach to implementing these commitments and includes 

the following phases:

• Assess

• Communicate

• Educate

• Plan/Implement 

• Monitor/Evaluate

This framework can guide National Prevention Council departments in establishing their own processes and goals. Specific actions taken 

to advance the commitments will vary across departments. Technical assistance and guidance will be available to help National Prevention 

Council departments meet their unique objectives within each commitment. 

Overarching Framework for National Prevention Council Commitments

Short-Term (within Calendar Year 2012) Mid- to Long-Term (1 to 3 years)

Assess: 

• Assess your department’s status. 

Communicate: 

• Broadly communicate your executive leadership’s commitment.

Communicate:

• Broadly communicate your department’s plan.

• Recognize the activities of departmental operating divisions, 

agencies, organizations, grantees, or partners. 

Educate: 

• Educate department leadership and decision makers.

• Educate department employees.

• Provide information and support.

Educate: 

• Continue to educate and inform department employees about 

activities related to your commitments. 

• Create opportunities for input and feedback. 

Plan: 

• Begin planning. 

• Set target dates and milestones. 

Implement:

• Implement plans.

• Use models and resources. 

Monitor and Evaluate:

• Monitor status and evaluate efforts.

• Use data for continuous improvement.

Framework for National Prevention 

Council Commitments

Appendix 2
45

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Council Commitment: Identify opportunities to consider prevention and health 

within National Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as 

appropriate.

Short-Term (within Calendar Year 2012) Mid- to Long-Term (1 to 3 years)

Assess:

• Identify opportunities where prevention, health, and cross-sector 

collaborations can be considered, as appropriate.

• Identify opportunities where it would be beneficial to offer staff 

and partners training in health and prevention. 

Communicate: 

• Broadly communicate your department’s commitment to 

promoting health and prevention, including your department’s 

role on the National Prevention Council.

Communicate:

• Broadly communicate your department’s prevention and health 

efforts (e.g., commitment statement on website and integration 

into department observances and/or materials).

• Recognize departmental operating divisions, agencies, 

organizations, grantees, or partners’ health and prevention 

efforts. 

Educate: 

• Educate department leadership, employees, and partners on the 

“win-win” benefits to prevention and health education. 

• Enhance department staff’s knowledge about prevention and 

health (e.g., offering trainings, disseminating resources).

Educate: 

• Enhance the capacity of department staff to consider prevention 

and health through training/cross-training.

• Enhance capacity of grantees to consider prevention and health 

by providing information and educational materials.

• Disseminate information resources or support joint conferences 

on prevention themes or with prevention tracks. 

Plan: 

• Develop a plan to identify opportunities to consider prevention 

and health in departmental activities.

• Develop a plan to train department staff and grantees about 

prevention and health.

• Identify opportunities to implement cross sector programs, 

training, research, or evaluation projects that advance 

prevention and health outcomes.

• Set milestones for identifying prevention and health 

opportunities. 

Implement:

• Implement your department’s plan to identify prevention and 

health opportunities. Examples of strategies being used within 

one or more National Prevention Council departments include:

– Encourage collaboration and coordinate across multiple 

sectors within programs, training, research, or evaluation 

projects. 

– Collect data on health outcomes from relevant programs 

where appropriate.

Monitor and Evaluate:

• Monitor activities and evaluate your department’s efforts to 

consider prevention and health opportunities and to promote 

cross-sector collaboration.

• Use data for continuous improvement.
46

National Prevention Council Commitment: Increase tobacco free environments within National 

Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as appropriate.

Short-Term (within Calendar Year 2012) Mid- to Long-Term (1 to 3 years)

Assess: 

• Assess the current smoke free/tobacco free status of your 

department’s workplaces. 

• Identify opportunities to achieve tobacco free environments in 

your department’s workplaces. 

Communicate: 

• Broadly communicate your department’s executive leadership’s 

commitment to achieving tobacco free environments. 

Communicate:

• Broadly communicate your department’s plan to increase 

tobacco free environments as appropriate.

• Recognize departmental operating divisions, agencies, 

organizations, grantees, or partners that implement tobacco free 

strategies and environments. 

Educate: 

• Educate department leadership and employees about the health 

effects of smoking, secondhand smoke, tobacco use, and the 

benefits of tobacco free spaces. 

• Educate employees about the Federal Employee Health Benefit 

insurance plans that offer 100 percent coverage for smoking and 

tobacco cessation. 

• Provide information and support the use of tobacco cessation 

services using available materials, tools, and resources.

Educate: 

• Continue to educate employees about the health effects of 

smoking, secondhand smoke, tobacco use, and the benefits of 

tobacco free environments.

• Educate employees about the department’s efforts to expand 

tobacco free environments.

• Continue to educate employees about federal employee health 

benefits and worksite tobacco use cessation services. 

Plan: 

• Begin planning to expand tobacco free environments as 

appropriate. (The Department of Health and Human Services 

[HHS] Tobacco Free Policy can serve as one model and technical 

assistance relative to operational considerations will be 

available.)

• Set a target with milestones for increasing tobacco free 

environments. 

Implement:

• Implement your department’s plan for expanding tobacco free 

environments. Examples of strategies being used within one or 

more National Prevention Council departments include:

– Implement tobacco free environments across department 

campuses.

– Offer tobacco cessation services on-site or permit use of 

quitline services within the workplace.

Monitor and Evaluate:

• Monitor your department’s activities and evaluate tobacco free 

efforts.

• Use data for continuous improvement.

Framework for National Prevention 

Council Commitments

Appendix 2
47

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

National Prevention Council Commitment: Increase access to healthy, affordable food within National 

Prevention Council departments and encourage partners to do so voluntarily as appropriate.

Short-Term (within Calendar Year 2012) Mid- to Long-Term (1 to 3 years)

Assess:

• Assess your department’s status in providing access to healthy 

affordable food, including food service and vending operations.

• Identify opportunities to achieve access to healthy, affordable 

food in your department’s workplaces and encourage partners 

to do so voluntarily as appropriate. 

Communicate: 

• Broadly communicate the department’s executive leadership’s 

commitment to achieving access to healthy, affordable food. 

Communicate:

• Broadly communicate the department’s commitment and plan 

to expand access to healthy, affordable food. 

• Recognize departmental operating divisions, agencies, 

organizations, grantees, or partners that improve access to 

healthy, affordable food. 

Educate: 

• Educate departmental leadership and employees about the 

positive health effects of healthy food and a healthy food 

environment. 

• Educate employees on the nutritional quality of their food 

options at purchase points through educational materials. 

Educate: 

• Continue to educate about the positive health effects of making 

healthy food choices.

• Educate departmental employees about plans or new initiatives 

for improving access to healthy, affordable food.

Plan: 

• Begin planning to improve access to healthy, affordable food. 

(The Department of Health and Human Services [HHS]/

General Services Administration [GSA] Health and Sustainability 

Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operations is 

one model.) 

• Set a target with milestones for increasing access to healthy, 

affordable food. 

Implement:

• Implement your department’s plan for expanding access to 

healthy, affordable food. Examples of strategies being used 

within one or more National Prevention Council departments 

include:

– Support federal vendors and food service staff in 

incorporating healthy food into department food service and 

vending operations.

– Expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables through on-site 

farmers markets. 

Monitor and Evaluate:

• Monitor your department’s activities and evaluate its efforts to 

achieve access to healthy, affordable food.

• Use data for continuous improvement.
48

Bureau of Indian Affairs

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Enhance capacity of state, tribal, 

local, and territorial governments to 

create healthy, livable, and sustainable 

communities (e.g., increase access to 

healthy food and opportunities for 

physical activity, revitalize brownfields, 

enhance alternative transportation 

options, and develop green facilities 

and buildings). 

BIA will work with USDA, ED, DOT, CNCS, and HHS to 

reinforce and improve upon the goals of the First Lady’s 

Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative to connect 

communities, schools, and tribal leaders to resources, funding, 

opportunities, trainings, and programs that can support efforts 

to reduce high rates of obesity and improve the health of 

native youth by increasing access to healthy, affordable, and 

traditional foods, and opportunities for physical activity.

Support standards to reduce pollution 

and environmental exposure to ensure 

that all communities are protected 

from environmental and health 

hazards. 

BIA will engage with partners, such as EPA and ED, to improve 

access and infrastructure in BIA-funded schools to enhance 

efforts to improve air quality in schools, decrease greenhouse 

gas emissions, meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design (LEED) certification standards, recycle and clean 

up hazardous waste, and improve the health of the school 

environment.

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners in strategic 

health security planning efforts for 

pandemics, biological and chemical 

attacks, incidents affecting food and 

agriculture, natural disasters, and other 

catastrophic events. 

BIA will partner with DHS to prepare BIA-funded schools to 

respond to emergencies (e.g., manmade or natural disasters).

Support effective public safety 

measures, such as community-based 

anti-crime and anti-gang initiatives to 

facilitate physical activity and prevent 

injury and violence.

BIA will ensure that BIA-funded schools provide a safe and 

secure environment for students and staff by conducting site 

visits to ensure that current safety measures are being used 

and by training staff in preventing suicide, bullying, and 

violence.

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

BIA will partner with HHS and USDA to strengthen linkages 

for medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health, and other 

health services for school-age children in BIA-funded schools 

to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing health 

and wellness in the school environment and to improve the 

health and academic outcomes of American Indian/Alaska 

Native students.

Empowered People Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

BIA’s Families and Children’s Education (FACE) will partner 

with HHS and USDA to develop resources and strategies for 

BIA-funded schools and parents to reduce obesity rates and 

improve the health of Indian youth and support the goals of 

the Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
49

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Bureau of Indian Affairs

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Foster development of a nationwide 

community-based prevention system 

involving state, tribal, local, and 

territorial governments and partners 

such as schools, health and social 

service systems, law enforcement, faith 

communities, local businesses, and 

neighborhood organizations.

BIA will partner with HHS and DOJ to communicate with 

tribes regarding alcohol and substance abuse prevention, 

sharing information about programs as well as available 

resources to help implement these programs.

Active Living Support coordinated, comprehensive, 

and multicomponent programs and 

policies to encourage physical activity 

and physical education, especially in 

schools and early learning centers.

BIA will implement a standardized health and wellness policy 

across BIA-operated schools and inform Tribally Controlled 

Schools of the opportunity for adoption to improve health 

and wellness in the school environment and to support the 

goals of the Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative.

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial agencies in implementing, 

strengthening, and enforcing 

transportation safety policies and 

programs.

BIA will engage with partners in Safe Routes to Schools to 

communicate and plan methods to improve major school bus 

transportation routes for the safety of children and increase 

physical activity among students.

Educate adults and youth on actions 

they can take to prevent injury at 

home, work, and school and in their 

communities.

BIA will coordinate with HHS to provide information and 

training on de-escalation techniques to schools to promote the 

safety and well-being of students and staff.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingProvide tools, guidance, and best 

practices to promote positive early 

childhood and youth development and 

prevent child abuse.

BIA will partner with HHS and Safe School specialists to 

provide information and on-site training on suicide prevention 

and bullying Prevention for schools serving American Indian 

students. 

Corporation for National and Community Service

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Coordinate investments in 

transportation, housing, environmental 

protection, and community 

infrastructure to promote sustainable 

and healthy communities. 

CNCS will continue to fund and support programs such as 

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Senior Companions, 

and AmeriCorps that increase seniors’ ability to remain in 

their own homes with the same or improved quality of life for 

as long as possible. These programs will increase social ties 

and social support among homebound or older adults and 

individuals with disabilities, promoting mental health.

CNCS will continue to fund and support grant activities 

with the Social Innovation Fund, AmeriCorps VISTA, and 

AmeriCorps State and National that help economically 

disadvantaged people transition into or remain in safe, 

healthy, affordable housing and provide opportunities for 

communities to address housing transition and affordable 

housing resources.
50

Corporation for National and Community Service

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

CNCS will continue to fund and support the Social Innovation 

Fund, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps State and National 

programs that will increase physical activity and improve 

nutrition in youth by increasing access to information and 

activities to reduce childhood obesity and enhance access to 

nutritious, affordable foods.

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Support health center service delivery 

sites in medically underserved areas 

and place primary care providers in 

communities with shortages.

CNCS, through HealthCorps a component of AmeriCorps, 

supports medically underserved communities by providing 

preventive health care programs that include health education 

and outreach.

Department of Homeland Security

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

DHS will develop and disseminate a “Health & Wellness 

Management Directive and Instruction” guide to make 

supervisors and managers aware of tools and support 

available to their employees to help them lead healthier and 

more productive lives.

DHS will develop and implement a Medical Quality 

Management (MQM) and Credentialing Program departmentwide, and provide guidance for the department’s First 

Responder, Emergency Medical Responder, and clinical staff 

to raise the quality of care, standardize the quality of care, 

and eliminate any disparities in care delivery, including the 

provision of appropriate preventive services.

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Enhance enforcement of current safety 

regulations, provide training and 

technical assistance to improve worker 

safety, and empower workers to report 

health and safety concerns.

DHS is providing Medical Countermeasures to key personnel 

to carry out its mission while simultaneously protecting its key 

personnel in the event of a biological, chemical, or radiologic 

national security incident.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
51

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Homeland Security

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Mental and Emotional WellbeingSupport programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly.

DHS will implement the DHSTogether program, a departmentwide program for employee and organizational resilience 

designed to promote the health and well-being of the entire 

DHS workforce and ensure that employees have the tools and 

resources for balancing work-life issues and thereby reducing 

sick leave, absenteeism, and stress.

DHS will work with its employee assistance programs to make 

available preventive health educational and clinical programs 

to improve the psychological and physical well-being of its 

workforce.

Provide easy-to-use information about 

mental and emotional well-being for 

consumers, especially groups that 

experience unique stressors (e.g., 

U.S. Armed Forces, firefighters, police 

officers, and other emergency response 

workers).

DHS will conduct “Resilience Symposiums,” workshops 

on health and wellness on an annual or bi-annual basis to 

empower employees to take an active role and responsibility 

in their health and wellness.

Department of Defense

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Identify and address barriers to the 

dissemination and use of reliable 

health information.

DOD will conduct data collection and assessment of healthrelated behaviors, such as nutrition and tobacco, to achieve 

health objectives identified in the National Prevention 

Strategy.

Tobacco Free Living Promote comprehensive tobacco free 

work site, campus, and conference/

meeting policies.

DOD will implement a comprehensive tobacco control 

program with special emphasis on environmental and primary 

prevention activities to promote health and mission readiness 

and to lead by example.

DOD is working to reduce tobacco use on DOD installations to 

promote health and mission readiness; help tobacco users to 

abstain/quit; and lead by example for all workplaces.

Research tobacco use and the 

effectiveness of tobacco control 

interventions.

DOD will consider how the availability of tobacco in military 

exchanges is contributing to tobacco consumption and how 

strategies outlined in the HHS Best Practices in Comprehensive 

Tobacco Control can improve the health of Military Health 

System beneficiaries and the civilian workforce.
52

Department of Defense

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy Eating Work to ensure that foods purchased, 

distributed, or served in federal 

programs and settings meet standards 

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines 

for Americans.

DOD will consider strategies for promoting healthy eating 

choices in food service operations on DOD installations, 

including menu guidelines, to promote mission readiness and 

health.

Provide information, tools, and 

expertise to help Americans understand 

and apply the Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans (e.g., MyPlate).

DOD will implement a nutrition educational initiative across 

medical and community platforms to improve behaviors that 

can help prevent and reduce obesity among Military Health 

System beneficiaries and the civilian workforce.

Support breastfeeding, including 

implementing the breastfeeding 

provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

DOD will implement initiatives in its medical facilities that 

encourage military beneficiaries to breastfeed infants through 

six months, as suggested by the Joint Commission’s Perinatal 

Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding, to 

promote infant health and improve maternal/infant bonding.

Implement programs and regulations 

to increase access to healthy food and 

eliminate food insecurity (e.g., Healthy, 

Hunger-Free Kids Act and USDA 

HealthierUS School Challenge).

DOD will standardize the assessment of nutritional 

environments in DOD facilities and incorporate findings to 

improve healthy eating options and promote nutritional 

fitness and healthy weight across military communities.

DOD will implement evidence-based strategies to promote 

healthy eating choices in commissaries and military exchanges 

to encourage patrons to consume healthy, wholesome, and 

nutritious food items.

Improve and expand the use of 

existing food and nutrition systems to 

track changes in eating patterns and 

conduct research to identify effective 

approaches.

DOD will leverage existing surveys to better measure National 

Prevention Strategy key indicators.

DOD will standardize surveillance of obesity and weight 

to objectively measure obesity and overweight prevalence 

among Military Health System beneficiaries and the civilian 

workforce.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingSupport programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly.

DOD will work to ensure its ability to identify and respond to 

DOD beneficiaries’ mental health needs in order to promote 

mental and emotional well-being.

Department of Justice

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Support effective public safety 

measures, such as community-based 

anti-crime and anti-gang initiatives to 

facilitate physical activity and prevent 

injury and violence.

DOJ, in collaboration with HUD, HHS, ONDCP, and ED 

through the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, 

will assist and collaborate with cities on best practices for 

preventing youth and gang violence, to support effective 

public safety measures to prevent injury and violence, such as 

community-based anti-crime and anti-gang initiatives.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
53

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Justice

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Develop programs consistent with 

Drug Enforcement Agency regulations 

that provide easily accessible, 

environmentally responsible ways to 

properly dispose of medications.

DOJ, EPA, and HHS will increase awareness on methods of 

safe and effective drug return and disposal consistent with 

ONDCP’s National Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingProvide tools, guidance, and best 

practices to promote positive early 

childhood and youth development and 

prevent child abuse.

DOJ, through the Defending Childhood initiative, will continue 

to support comprehensive community-based projects to 

prevent and reduce the impact of exposure to violence on 

children and their families, schools, and communities.

DOJ will support professionals working with vulnerable 

children by coordinating federal, state, local, and tribal efforts 

to protect drug-endangered children. DOJ will identify model 

protocols and promising practices and coordinate professional 

training programs to promote positive early childhood and 

youth development and prevent child abuse.

Department of Labor

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Use plain language in health 

information for the public in alignment 

with the Plain Writing Act.

DOL, HHS, and the Department of the Treasury issued 

regulatory guidance in February 2012 requiring group health 

plans and health insurance issuers to provide consumers and 

employers clear, understandable, and concise explanations 

of their health insurance benefits and coverage, including 

preventive services coverage which will allow people to make 

more informed decisions when choosing an insurance plan 

and coordinating care with their providers.

DOL will continue to require worker training in a language 

the worker understands and to target high risk industries to 

enhance worksite safety.

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Support and expand cross-sector 

activities to enhance access to highquality education, jobs, economic 

opportunity, and opportunities 

for healthy living (e.g., access to 

parks, grocery stores, and safe 

neighborhoods).

DOL and USDA are supporting the multi-agency Jobs and 

Innovation Accelerator Challenge grant competitions to 

advance approximately 40 high-growth industry clusters in 

economically disadvantaged rural and urban regions across 

the country reaching disparate populations to promote job 

creation and training, which improve economic security and 

promote access to health insurance coverage and prevention 

services. 

Support and expand training programs 

that bring new and diverse workers 

into the health care and public health 

workforce.

DOL and HHS are linking community colleges and technical 

training organizations in rural communities to provide 

workforce training and other resources to expand the number 

of professionals trained in health information technology 

implementation.
54

Department of Labor

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Enhance linkages between drug 

prevention, substance abuse, mental 

health, and juvenile and criminal 

justice agencies to develop and 

disseminate effective models of 

prevention and care coordination.

DOL has implemented the Screening, Brief Intervention, and 

Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) tool at selected YouthBuild 

program sites and will provide ongoing training for using this 

tool to better identify and address substance abuse among 

youth in the program. 

Provide education, outreach, 

and training to address parity in 

employment-based group health plans 

and health insurance coverage for 

substance use disorders.

DOL and HHS will continue to provide information to 

consumers about the Mental Health Parity and Addiction 

Equity Act of 2008 through providing online resources 

and educating individuals on available mental health and 

substance use disorder resources.

Healthy Eating Support breastfeeding, including 

implementing the breastfeeding 

provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

DOL, by administering section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards 

Act, ensures breastfeeding female employees of covered 

employers have reasonable break time and space (e.g., a 

place, other than a bathroom, shielded from view and free 

from intrusion from coworkers and the public) to express 

breast milk for their nursing children for one year after the 

child’s birth.

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Enhance enforcement of current safety 

regulations, provide training and 

technical assistance to improve worker 

safety, and empower workers to report 

health and safety concerns.

DOL is inspecting and responding to workplace violence to 

protect workers from workplace violence. 

DOL will enhance enforcement of regulations, including 

designing outreach and education, to improve disease 

and injury prevention by focusing on mine operators’ 

responsibilities to anticipate, recognize, and control mining 

hazards.

DOL will reduce chronic lung diseases from mining exposures 

through improved enforcement, outreach, education, and 

stakeholder engagement.

Educate adults and youth on actions 

they can take to prevent injury at 

home, work, and school and in their 

communities.

DOL is working to ensure that youth enjoy positive work 

experiences that do not jeopardize their health, well-being, or 

education. 

Reproductive and Sexual 

Health

Increase access to comprehensive 

preconception and prenatal care, 

especially for low-income and at-risk 

women.

DOL ensures that federal contractors and subcontractors are 

not discriminated against on the basis of pregnancy or medical 

conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth in employment 

decisions (e.g., hiring, firing, pay, benefits, job assignments, 

promotions, layoffs, job training, and recruitment).

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
55

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Labor

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Mental and Emotional WellbeingSupport programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly.

DOL, by administering the Family and Medical Leave Act, 

provides workplace flexibilities to eligible employees of 

covered employers. These flexibilities enable employees 

to balance work and personal life when certain family and 

medical care necessities arise (e.g., serious health condition 

of the employee, their parent, child, or spouse, or for 

certain military family leave reasons). They provide unpaid, 

job-protected leave, with continuation of health insurance 

coverage, under the same terms and conditions as if an 

employee had not taken leave. 

Provide easy-to-use information about 

mental and emotional well-being for 

consumers, especially groups that 

experience unique stressors (e.g., 

U.S. Armed Forces, firefighters, police 

officers, and other emergency response 

workers).

DOL will raise awareness among employers, group health 

plans, and issuers about benefits under the Mental Health 

Parity Act and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act 

through outreach and training to promote mental health and 

well-being in the workplace.

Department of Transportation

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

DOT will provide consumer-friendly education materials on 

the DOT website to help consumers select particular child 

safety seats that have been shown to fit well in specific 

vehicles to reduce childhood deaths and injuries.

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Identify and map high-need areas that 

experience health disparities and align 

existing resources to meet these needs.

DOT will reach older adults who are at increased risk of 

injuries and fatalities by partnering with the private sector 

through programs such as the American Medical Association’s 

curriculum on assessing and counseling older drivers and the 

work by the American Occupational Therapy Association to 

engage occupational therapists on addressing safe driving.

Develop and evaluate communitybased interventions to reduce health 

disparities and health outcomes.

DOT has developed programs and activities, such as Parents 

Central, to reduce disparities in child passenger safety among 

high-risk populations, including low-income families and 

minorities to reduce childhood deaths and injuries.
56

Department of Transportation

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Active Living Promote the development of 

transportation options and systems that 

encourage active transportation and 

accommodate diverse needs.

DOT will promote a pedestrian safety education program for 

state agencies to educate older adults on pedestrian safety to 

promote safe, active living among this population.

DOT will encourage communities to provide safe and 

convenient facilities for active modes of transportation, 

such as increased bike lanes, in order to support livable 

communities and increase transportation options.

DOT will educate health stakeholders including federal, state, 

and community leaders about the planning and decision 

making process of transportation in order to expand active 

transportation opportunities.

DOT will encourage states to develop comprehensive Safe 

Routes to School programs to encourage and increase the 

number of children, including those with disabilities, walking 

and biking to school.

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial agencies in implementing, 

strengthening, and enforcing 

transportation safety policies and 

programs.

DOT will seek to increase seatbelt use by promoting highvisibility enforcement, nighttime enforcement, and programs 

targeting high-risk populations to reduce motor vehicle related 

fatalities and injuries.

DOT, in collaboration with HHS, is promoting increased use of 

ignition interlocks and close supervision of impaired driving 

offenders in order to prevent alcohol impaired driving crashes 

and related injuries and fatalities.

DOT will continue to provide a pedestrian and bicycle safety 

curriculum called “Walk and Bike Safely” for use by teachers 

and volunteers working with beginning English language 

learners to promote road safety.

Develop and test innovative and 

promising strategies to prevent injuries 

and violence.

DOT will continue to research the vehicular and human factors 

that lead to distracted driving, such as vehicle interfaces and 

portable devices, to build the evidence base on preventing 

injury and fatalities related to distracted driving. 

DOT will continue to research strategies to improve motor 

vehicle safety through the Intelligent Transportation Systems 

program, which supports innovative vehicle safety research 

such as Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) connectivity technologies.

DOT will conduct a multipronged effort to protect children 

from injuries that occur in and around passenger vehicles, 

including hyperthermia, driveway backovers, and trunk 

entrapments.

Educate adults and youth on actions 

they can take to prevent injury at 

home, work, and school and in their 

communities.

DOT will promote use of motorcycle and bicycle helmets by 

providing educational materials on the DOT website to help 

reduce the probability of death and serious injury among 

riders.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
57

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Education

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Coordinate investments in 

transportation, housing, environmental 

protection, and community 

infrastructure to promote sustainable 

and healthy communities.

ED is supporting Promise Neighborhoods to combat the 

effects of poverty and provide high-quality opportunities to 

improve educational outcomes, ensuring children are healthy 

and have safe places to live, learn, and play.

Enhance capacity of state, tribal, 

local, and territorial governments to 

create healthy, livable, and sustainable 

communities (e.g., increase access to 

healthy food and opportunities for 

physical activity, revitalize brownfields, 

enhance alternative transportation 

options, and develop green facilities 

and buildings).

ED will continue the ED-Green Ribbon Schools initiative 

to recognize exemplary achievement in schools that save 

energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable 

learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer 

environmental education. DOD and the Bureau of Indian 

Education are working with ED to recognize schools that 

exemplify achievement in reduced environmental impact, 

energy efficiency, healthy school environments and practices, 

and effective environmental and sustainability education that 

teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) 

and civic skills. 

Active Living Support coordinated, comprehensive, 

and multicomponent programs and 

policies to encourage physical activity 

and physical education, especially in 

schools and early learning centers.

ED proposes a streamlined Successful, Safe, and Healthy 

Students program to fund competitive grants to state 

educational agencies and high-need local educational agencies 

and their partners to develop and carry out programs and 

activities to improve school climate and students’ physical 

health, mental health, and well-being so that students are 

able to focus on learning.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingProvide tools, guidance, and best 

practices to promote positive early 

childhood and youth development and 

prevent child abuse.

ED will continue its Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge 

grant competition supporting state-based efforts to increase 

the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged 

children enrolled early in high-quality, integrated learning 

programs and services. Those program and services follow 

the recommendations of the National Research Council’s 

reports on early childhood to improve early learning and 

development programs for young children.

Environmental Protection Agency

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Coordinate investments in 

transportation, housing, environmental 

protection, and community 

infrastructure to promote sustainable 

and healthy communities.

The HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities 

is working to improve access to affordable housing, increase 

transportation options, and lower transportation costs while 

protecting the environment in communities nationwide.

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Identify, pilot, and support strategies 

to reduce cardiovascular disease, 

including improving screening and 

treatment for high blood pressure and 

cholesterol.

EPA will create and conduct continuing education programs 

for health professionals on the health effects of air pollution 

on heart disease and stroke as part of the multi-agency Million 

HeartsTM initiative.
58

Environmental Protection Agency

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

EPA will continue to conduct research to produce data, 

methods, and approaches that provide individuals, 

communities, and tribes with user-friendly tools and 

information that enable them to 1) more clearly identify 

issues and define problems associated with health equity and 

sustainability; 2) understand and communicate issues so they 

can create and implement effective policies and programs; 

and 3) increase their ability to make informed personal health 

choices for themselves and their children.

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Support policies to reduce exposure 

to environmental and occupational 

hazards, especially among those at 

greatest risk.

EPA will work with the agencies in the Federal Interagency 

Working Group on Environmental Justice to support 

implementing environmental justice strategies that seek to 

reduce exposures to environmental risks and increase access to 

positive environmental and health benefits. 

Support and expand training programs 

that bring new and diverse workers 

into the health care and public health 

workforce.

EPA will support efforts to expand the integration of children’s 

environmental health into health care provider education and 

practice.

Federal Trade Commission

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Work to reduce false or misleading 

claims about the health benefits of 

products and services.

FTC will monitor, identify, and act when it finds marketers 

making misleading health benefit claims for their products to 

prevent consumer deception and reduce consumers’ reliance 

on unproven remedies. 

FTC will monitor and report on anticompetitive activity that 

delays or prevents market entry of low-cost generic drugs, 

to help ensure that consumers have access to competitive 

prescriptions.

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

FTC will maintain “Who Cares,” an online resource to help 

consumers find reliable sources of information on health care 

topics, to help consumers avoid scams, find relevant agencies 

and organizations, and find out whom to contact if a health 

care product or service does not live up to its promises.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
59

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Federal Trade Commission

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Educate and inform consumers 

regarding the risks and benefits of 

regulated products using strategies 

appropriate to culture, language, and 

literacy skills (e.g., prescription drug 

safety and side effects, public health 

alerts, general information about safe 

and appropriate medication use).

FTC will continue to expand awareness of the FTC tool “We 

Don’t Serve Teens” (WDST) among states, industry, schools, 

and law enforcement to encourage them to distribute WDST 

campaign materials, including free stickers and radio ads, in 

their communities to reduce underage drinking, including 

binge drinking.

Conduct ongoing, independent, and 

brand-specific monitoring of youth 

exposure to alcohol marketing in order 

to ensure compliance with advertising 

standards.

FTC will continue to promote improvements in voluntary 

alcohol industry guidelines of the beer, wine, and spirits 

industries relating to the placement and content of alcohol 

advertising, to better protect youth under 21 from exposure to 

alcohol marketing.

FTC will continue to monitor and report on alcohol industry 

self-regulatory efforts by requiring companies to report on 

expenditures and promotional activities to assess any changes 

in marketing practices, provide data for researchers, and 

inform recommendations. 

Healthy Eating Monitor marketing to children. FTC will continue to monitor and report on the marketing 

of food to children (e.g., expenditures and promotional 

activities) to assess any changes in marketing practices, 

provide data for researchers, and inform recommendations.
60

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Increase availability and use of 

prevention research to identify effective 

environmental, policy, and systems 

that reduce chronic diseases, promote 

safety, and eliminate health disparities.

HHS is supporting and disseminating the results of evidencebased research through programs such as the Community 

Guide, the Prevention Research Centers, and Partnerships 

for Environmental Public Health and is increasing the use of 

evidence-based prevention research through programs such as 

the evidence-based Healthy Aging Program and Community 

Transformation Grants.

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners to enhance 

epidemiology and laboratory capacity, 

health information technology, and 

performance improvement.

HHS will continue to enhance epidemiology and laboratory 

capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks 

through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for 

Infectious Disease and the Emerging Infections Program 

Cooperative Agreements.

HHS is improving health information systems and accelerating 

national implementation of Electronic Laboratory Reporting 

(ELR) to improve the use and functionality of health 

information technology, resulting in more accurate data and 

measurement of health impact. 

HHS will work with Regional Extension Centers and Quality 

Improvement Organizations to increase the number of 

meaningful users of health information technology to support 

prevention efforts and improve the quality of health data 

through systemwide process improvements at the community 

level.

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners in strategic 

health security planning efforts for 

pandemics, biological and chemical 

attacks, incidents affecting food and 

agriculture, natural disasters, and other 

catastrophic events.

HHS will implement the National Health Security Strategy 

to improve public health and health care preparedness to 

promote a resilient nation that can prevent, protect, mitigate, 

respond to, and recover from all health threats. 

HHS, in collaboration with USDA, is developing the National 

Voluntary Environmental Assessment Information System 

to identify factors contributing to foodborne outbreaks and 

help determine how to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses 

associated with food-service establishments.

HHS, USDA, and other partners will maintain and enhance 

the national surveillance networks for foodborne diseases 

(e.g., Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network 

[FoodNet], PulseNet, CaliciNet National Notifiable Diseases) 

to share information and address incidents of unsafe food 

released in commerce.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
61

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

HHS will continue to identify Medicare and Medicaid 

payment and delivery system models that promote access 

to and delivery of preventive services through Center 

for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation programs (e.g., 

the Federally Qualified Health Center Advanced Primary 

Care Practice Demonstration, Pioneer Accountable Care 

Organizations, and Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative), 

and evaluate the outcomes.

Improve monitoring capacity 

for quality and performance of 

recommended clinical preventive 

services.

HHS will implement the National Quality Strategy, catalyzing 

national, state, and local efforts to improve health care quality 

focused on common aims, priorities, and goals to ensure that 

all patients receive the right care including recommended 

clinical preventive services, at the right time, in the right 

setting, every time.

Identify, pilot, and support strategies 

to reduce cardiovascular disease, 

including improving screening and 

treatment for high blood pressure and 

cholesterol.

HHS will continue to support the Million HeartsTM initiative, 

which aims to reduce tobacco use, promote healthy eating, 

and improve medication adherence to prevent 1 million heart 

attacks and strokes by December 2017. 

Encourage older adults to seek a free 

annual Medicare wellness visit, a new 

benefit provided by the Affordable 

Care Act.

HHS is promoting the Medicare annual wellness visit through 

consumer education and outreach events with partners (such 

as a wellness bus tour), as well as by building awareness of 

the annual wellness visit among providers. 

Educate clinicians, federal employees, 

and the public (especially those in 

underserved populations) about 

coverage improvements and 

elimination of cost-sharing for clinical 

preventive services as set forth in the 

Affordable Care Act.

HHS is continuing to develop materials for HealthCare.gov, 

which provides easy-to-use information for consumers in both 

English and Spanish, to improve consumers’ understanding of 

new coverage options and consumer benefits made available 

through the Affordable Care Act. 

HHS is working to inform clinicians and providers about 

the preventive service provisions of the Affordable Care Act 

through educational materials and other outreach to promote 

the available benefits. These efforts include a media campaign 

to generate broad awareness of preventive benefits and 

encourage people to use them for better health.
62

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services (cont.)

Encourage adoption of certified 

electronic health record technology 

that meets Meaningful Use criteria, 

particularly those that use clinical 

decision supports and registry 

functionality, send reminders to 

patients for preventive and followup care, provide patients with timely 

access to their health information (e.g., 

lab results, discharge instructions), 

identify resources available to 

patients, and incorporate privacy and 

security functions (e.g., encrypting 

health information to keep it secure, 

generating audit logs to record 

actions).

HHS, through the Health Information Exchange program, 

supports the aim of seamless data interchange between 

clinical providers, laboratories, and public health officials by 

providing the infrastructure needed to implement and enable 

data exchange. 

HHS will continue to use the Standards and Interoperability 

Framework, which enables data exchange by defining data 

standards to ensure high-quality patient care, including 

providing clinical preventive services. 

Improve use of patient-centered 

medical homes and community health 

teams, which are supported by the 

Affordable Care Act.

HHS will expand the use of patient-centered medical 

homes by supporting innovative care models (such as the 

Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, the Federally Qualified 

Health Center [FQHC], Advanced Primary Care Practice 

Demonstration, and Medicaid Home Health) designed to 

improve care planning, coordination, and delivery. 

Promote and expand research efforts 

to identify high-priority clinical and 

community preventive services and 

test innovative strategies to support 

delivery of these services.

HHS continues to educate Americans about evidence-based 

clinical and community preventive programs, services, and 

policies supported by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force 

and the Community Preventive Services Task Force through 

websites such as HealthCare.gov and healthfinder.gov. 

To identify high-priority preventive services and support the 

delivery of preventive services, HHS will conduct research 

through initiatives such as the Health Care Innovation 

Challenge and Centers for Excellence in Clinical Preventive 

Services and support evaluation strategies through efforts such 

as the Community Transformation Grants.

Develop new and improved vaccines, 

enhance understanding of the safety 

of vaccines and vaccination practices, 

support informed vaccine decision 

making, and improve access to and 

better use of recommended vaccines.

HHS will implement the National Vaccine Plan, a 

comprehensive strategy to enhance all aspects of vaccines 

and vaccination including research and development, supply, 

financing, distribution, safety, informed decision making by 

consumers and health care providers, surveillance of vaccinepreventable diseases, monitoring of vaccine effectiveness and 

use, and global cooperation.

Research complementary and 

alternative medicine strategies to 

determine effectiveness and how they 

can be better integrated into clinical 

preventive care.

HHS is supporting basic, translational, efficacy, and 

effectiveness research on complementary interventions 

and approaches to advance the science and practice of 

symptom management, as well as enable better evidencebased decision making regarding the use of complementary 

approaches and their integration into clinical preventive care. 

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
63

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Identify and address barriers to the 

dissemination and use of reliable 

health information.

HHS will implement the National Action Plan to Improve 

Health Literacy, promoting and encouraging departmental 

activities to identify and address barriers to sharing and 

using reliable health information. An example is providing 

Americans information about Alzheimer’s disease by creating 

a new website, alzheimers.gov, a one-stop resource for 

patients and families.

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

HHS is empowering consumers to make healthier choices 

through initiatives aimed at healthy eating (e.g., increasing 

access to healthy food through farmers’ markets), tobacco free 

living (e.g., the release of a public media campaign, increased 

promotion of cessation programs), physical activity (e.g., 

encouraging walking to school), and other healthy behaviors.

HHS will continue comprehensive and integrated worksite 

wellness programming, such as the Affordable Care Act 

funded National Healthy WorksiteTM program, to support 

employee wellness efforts and provide tools that can lower 

employee health risks. 

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Identify and map high-need areas that 

experience health disparities and align 

existing resources to meet these needs.

Consistent with the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and 

Ethnic Health Disparities, HHS will identify high-density 

health disparity areas throughout the United States and will 

use this information to assess HHS policies and programs and 

inform efforts to reduce disparities.

Increase the availability of deidentified national health data to better 

address the needs of underrepresented 

population groups.

HHS is implementing new standards to enhance data 

collection for race and ethnicity and has standardized data 

collection requirements for sex, primary language, and 

disability status where appropriate. New standards will 

improve data estimates on health outcomes in disparity and 

underrepresented populations.

Develop and evaluate communitybased interventions to reduce health 

disparities and health outcomes.

HHS is implementing the first ever Action Plan to Reduce 

Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, outlining specific goals 

and actions to advance health equity for racial and ethnic 

minorities. The action plan promotes integrated, evidencebased strategies to address health disparities such as state, 

tribal, territorial, and community-based projects that give 

special consideration to health equity, environmental 

justice, and health across the life stages and support the 

implementation of Healthy People 2020.

HHS supports community-led programs such as Community 

Transformation Grants and community engagement activities 

to promote participation in prevention, health education, and 

other efforts to reduce health disparities.
64

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Elimination of Health 

Disparities (cont.)

Support and expand training programs 

that bring new and diverse workers 

into the health care and public health 

workforce.

HHS recruits health care providers in underserved areas 

through the National Health Service Corps and supports 

training programs through public health fellowship programs, 

such as the Epidemic Intelligence Service and Public Health 

Prevention Service, to increase the capacity of the health care 

and public health workforces.

Support health center service delivery 

sites in medically underserved areas 

and place primary care providers in 

communities with shortages.

With funding from the Affordable Care Act, HHS will support 

health centers and National Health Service Corps providers to 

ensure access to primary care services in underserved areas.

Increase dissemination and use of 

evidence-based health literacy practices 

and interventions.

HHS will continue to support sharing and using evidencebased health literacy practices and interventions through 

programs (such as the Occupational Health Disparities 

program), websites (such as the CDC health literacy website), 

trainings, conferences, and activities to promote prevention 

and eliminate health disparities.

Tobacco Free Living Support states, tribes, and communities 

to implement tobacco control 

interventions and policies.

HHS will continue to enforce tobacco advertising and youth 

promotion restrictions as well as work with states to enforce 

age compliance checks. 

HHS will continue to support states, tribes, and communities 

through the National Tobacco Control Program, which works 

to prevent initiation, promote quitting, eliminate disparities 

among population groups, and eliminate exposure to 

secondhand smoke through population-based community 

interventions, counter-marketing, and data collection. 

Promote utilization of smoking 

cessation benefits by federal 

employees, Medicare and Medicaid 

beneficiaries, and active duty and 

military retirees.

HHS will launch a tobacco website that provides users a single 

source of information on how to access available cessation 

resources to increase the use of such resources.

Make cessation services more 

accessible and available by 

implementing applicable provisions of 

the Affordable Care Act, including in 

government health care delivery sites.

HHS is working with partners to implement the expanded 

tobacco screening and cessation services now covered under 

the Affordable Care Act, including screening and cessation 

interventions for adults, expanded counseling for pregnant 

tobacco users, and full coverage for tobacco cessation services 

for pregnant women in states’ Medicaid programs.

HHS will continue to match 50 percent of the states’ cost of 

providing tobacco cessation telephone quitline services for 

Medicaid patients to support convenient delivery of such 

services and maximize successful tobacco cessation rates.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
65

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Tobacco Free Living (cont.) Implement the warnings mandated 

to appear on cigarette packages and 

in cigarette advertisements to include 

new textual warning statements and 

color graphics depicting the negative 

health consequences of tobacco use, as 

required by the Tobacco Control Act.

HHS announced the final rules requiring larger, more 

prominent cigarette health warning labels with accompanying 

color graphics in June 2011. 

Research tobacco use and the 

effectiveness of tobacco control 

interventions.

HHS is supporting the Population Assessment of Tobacco and 

Health (PATH) Study, a large-scale national longitudinal cohort 

study examining the factors that make people susceptible to 

tobacco product use and evaluating use patterns and resulting 

health problems.

Encourage clinicians and health care 

facilities to record smoking status 

(for patients age 13 years or older) 

and to report on the core clinical 

quality measure for smoking cessation 

counseling, in accordance with the 

Medicare and Medicaid Electronic 

Health Records Incentive Program.

HHS will continue to include measures in its quality reporting 

programs that promote the assessment and treatment of 

smoking in adolescents and adults.

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Enhance linkages between drug 

prevention, substance abuse, mental 

health, and juvenile and criminal 

justice agencies to develop and 

disseminate effective models of 

prevention and care coordination.

HHS is working with DOJ and community-based service 

providers through programs such as Drug Court programs, 

the 12 Cities HIV Program, the Screening, Brief Intervention, 

and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program, and the Primary 

and Behavioral Health Care Integration program, all of which 

are intended to improve the integration of substance abuse 

and mental health screening in programs that serve high risk 

communities.

Educate health care professionals on 

proper opioid prescribing, Screening, 

Brief Intervention, and Referral to 

Treatment (SBIRT), and effective use of 

prescription drug monitoring programs.

Through curricula development and programs such as those 

aimed at medical residency training, HHS will support 

increased use of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral 

to Treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol abuse and misuse to reduce 

excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths.

HHS is educating health care providers about preventing 

prescription painkiller overdoses and is developing 

educational materials for prescribers and patients on the 

appropriate use and disposal of pain relievers through 

programs such as the Opioid Risk Evaluation and Mitigation 

Strategies program. 

Promote implementation of 

interoperable state prescription drug 

monitoring programs.

HHS is working to expand the interoperability of 

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and has completed 

recommendations for data content and vocabulary standards, 

information usability and presentation, and transport and 

architecture.
66

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy Eating Work to ensure that foods purchased, 

distributed, or served in federal 

programs and settings meet standards 

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines 

for Americans.

HHS is implementing the HHS/GSA Health and Sustainability 

Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operations as 

a means of empowering employees to make healthy choices.

Improve agricultural policies to better 

align with the nutrition goals of the 

Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

HHS and USDA will address the availability of healthy food 

in underserved communities through program strategies 

(e.g., farmers markets, farm stands, community gardens, 

and community supported agriculture) to help individuals 

meet nutritional goals outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans, 2010.

Strengthen the nation’s comprehensive 

food safety system.

HHS will ensure a food safety system that includes rigorous 

standards for food safety, data collection and analysis for 

effective food safety inspections, and tools to help prevent or 

quickly identify and stop outbreaks.

Implement the menu labeling 

provisions of the Affordable Care Act 

to help provide consistent facts about 

food choices in chain restaurants.

HHS has issued proposed rules on the provisions of the 

Affordable Care Act on nutrition labeling in chain restaurants 

and vending machines to support consumer access to nutrition 

information on foods consumed outside the home.

Support breastfeeding, including 

implementing the breastfeeding 

provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

HHS is implementing policies and programs such as the 

Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative and the Breastfeeding Report 

Card to improve maternity care, support breastfeeding, and 

increase the number of Baby-Friendly Hospitals.

Active Living Support coordinated, comprehensive, 

and multicomponent programs and 

policies to encourage physical activity 

and physical education, especially in 

schools and early learning centers.

HHS supports the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and 

Nutrition by promoting the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award 

and supports Healthy People 2020’s national objectives for 

early and middle childhood and physical activity.

HHS will incorporate physical activity recommendations and 

opportunities into the program performance standards for 

Head Start and Early Head Start.

Develop and disseminate clinical 

guidelines, best practices, and tools 

on increasing physical activity and 

reducing the number of overweight 

and obese individuals.

HHS will disseminate tools and resources to promote the 

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and support 

parents, caregivers, and communities as part of the We Can! 

(Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) program to 

help children maintain a healthy weight.

HHS will continue to bring together teams from primary care, 

public health, and community-based organizations to identify, 

test, and evaluate evidence-based program and policy 

changes to prevent and treat obesity and overweight. 

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
67

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Develop and test innovative and 

promising strategies to prevent injuries 

and violence.

HHS is supporting evaluation and research of violence 

and injury prevention programs, including developing 

collaborative strategies to reduce falls in the older population, 

supporting evidence-based violence prevention initiatives, and 

evaluating state and local injury prevention programs.

Educate adults and youth on actions 

they can take to prevent injury at 

home, work, and school and in their 

communities.

HHS has released the National Action Plan for Child Injury 

Prevention, which informs national and local efforts to reduce 

the burden of injury among children.

HHS will continue to support and improve outreach efforts 

in injury and violence prevention through efforts such as the 

“Protect the Ones You Love” and “Heads Up” initiatives.

Reproductive and Sexual 

Health

Increase access to comprehensive 

preconception and prenatal care, 

especially for low-income and at-risk 

women.

HHS will continue to support the Maternal and Child Health 

Services Block Grant Program, the Health Center Program, and 

the Title X Family Planning program, which provide access to 

care (from preconception through postpartum) for low-income 

and at-risk women.

Research and disseminate ways to 

effectively prevent premature birth, 

birth defects, and Sudden Infant Death 

Syndrome (SIDS).

HHS, through the Strong Start initiative, is testing and 

evaluating enhanced prenatal care for low-income women at 

risk for having a preterm birth. 

HHS will implement the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death 

(SUID) initiative, aimed at improving the investigation and 

reporting of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other 

SUID, to monitor trends and identify those at risk in order to 

prevent SUID.

Support states, tribes, and communities 

to implement evidence-based sexual 

health education.

HHS, through the Personal Responsibility and Education 

Program, will support state efforts to provide evidence-based 

sexual health education to reduce teen pregnancy rates.

Promote and disseminate national 

screening recommendations for HIV 

and other STIs.

HHS will continue to implement the Action Plan for the 

Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, which 

focuses on preventing viral hepatitis, increasing the proportion 

of people who are aware of their infections, and improving 

access to care and treatment.

HHS will promote HIV and STI screenings that follow 

evidence-based guidelines at federally supported health 

centers and through outreach campaigns (such as Testing 

Makes Us Stronger; One Test, Two Lives; Take Charge, Take the 

Test) to reduce risks among sexually active individuals.

Promote and disseminate best practices 

and tools to reduce behavioral risk 

factors (e.g., sexual violence, alcohol 

and other drug use) that contribute 

to high rates of HIV/STIs and teen 

pregnancy.

HHS will integrate HIV screening and prevention services 

into substance abuse treatment programs as appropriate to 

improve health outcomes. 

HHS supports the replication of evidence-based models to 

reduce teen pregnancies, STIs, and sexual risk behaviors.
68

Department of Health and Human Services

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Reproductive and Sexual 

Health (cont.)

Encourage HIV testing and treatment, 

align programs to better identify 

people living with HIV, and link those 

who test positive to care.

HHS will continue to implement the National HIV/AIDS 

Strategy, which focuses on reducing new HIV infections 

through screening and targeted prevention and on improving 

support for people living with HIV by increasing access to and 

retention in high-quality care. 

Research and disseminate effective 

methods to prevent intimate partner 

violence and sexual violence.

HHS will use data from the National Intimate Partner and 

Sexual Violence Survey to inform intimate partner and 

domestic violence prevention programs across the country.

HHS will promote interpersonal violence screening and 

counseling, as recommended under the Institute of Medicine 

Guidelines on Women’s Preventive Services.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingImprove access to high-quality 

mental health services and facilitate 

integration of mental health services 

into a range of clinical and community 

settings (e.g., Federally Qualified 

Health Centers, Bureau of Prisons, 

Department of Defense, and Veterans 

Affairs facilities).

HHS will work with states, territories, and tribal governments 

to integrate mental health services and promote the expansion 

of behavioral health services in clinics, communities and 

health care settings, especially those that serve youth, tribal 

communities, and military families.

Support programs to ensure that 

employees have tools and resources 

needed to balance work and personal 

life and provide support and training 

to help them recognize co-workers in 

distress and respond accordingly.

HHS is working with employers and partners to promote and 

implement the Employer’s Guide to Emotional Wellness and the 

Employer’s Guide to Behavioral Health Services to ensure that 

employees have access to tools and resources for balancing 

their work and personal lives. 

Provide tools, guidance, and best 

practices to promote positive early 

childhood and youth development and 

prevent child abuse.

HHS will promote prevention programs for child and family 

service settings that support healthy development and reduce 

exposure to violence and risk factors for trauma, such as 

Project Launch, Safe Schools/Healthy Students, and Triple P–

Positive Parenting Program®. 

HHS provides tools, such as Preventing Child Maltreatment 

and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2012 Resource 

Guide, to service providers working with parents, caregivers, 

and their children to strengthen families and prevent child 

abuse and neglect. 

Provide easy-to-use information about 

mental and emotional well-being for 

consumers, especially groups that 

experience unique stressors (e.g., 

U.S. Armed Forces, firefighters, police 

officers, and other emergency response 

workers).

HHS, through their Strategic Initiative on Public Awareness 

and Support, is disseminating evidence-based and emerging 

information and working with partners through the Outreach 

Partnership Program to address the mental health needs 

within high-risk populations.

Research policies and programs 

that enhance mental and emotional 

well-being, especially for potentially 

vulnerable populations.

HHS supports translational and health services research 

to better prevent and treat mental illness and to promote 

dissemination and implementation of evidence-based 

interventions.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
69

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Housing and Urban Development

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Coordinate investments in 

transportation, housing, environmental 

protection, and community 

infrastructure to promote sustainable 

and healthy communities.

HUD will encourage recipients of Sustainable Communities 

Regional Planning Grants and Community Challenge Grants to 

evaluate planning and development investments for potential 

to promote access to affordable communities and active and 

healthy living.

Support healthy housing while 

addressing unsafe housing conditions 

and health-related hazards, including 

injury hazards, asthma triggers, and 

lead-based paint hazards. 

HUD addresses residential health hazards, including unsafe 

conditions that may result in injury, asthma triggers, and 

lead-based paint hazards, through housing intervention grants 

awarded under its Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes 

Production grant programs.

Use housing development subsidies to 

promote mixed-income neighborhoods 

and access to safe and healthy housing. 

HUD will encourage Choice Neighborhoods grantees to focus 

on health in their communities by incorporating health-related 

metrics in their evaluations and will encourage HUD grantees 

to collaborate with local public health agencies to implement 

neighborhood revitalization plans.

HUD is working with HHS to implement initiatives, such as 

Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities 

program, that help older adults and persons with disabilities 

live in healthy and safe community settings or transition from 

institutions to independent living in community settings that 

prevent injuries and support positive physical and mental 

health.

HUD and HHS will continue to coordinate the provision of 

appropriate housing and services to people experiencing 

homelessness or at risk of homelessness by 1) aligning 

resources to ensure that persons who become homeless can 

be quickly rehoused and receive necessary resources; 2) 

using administrative data sources to better understand the 

intersection between homelessness and health and human 

service program usage; 3) conducting joint research to 

better understand the value of housing and services; and 4) 

developing and testing homelessness prevention initiatives 

that can be linked to existing programs designed to serve lowincome populations with an increased risk of homelessness 

(e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child welfare) 

to reduce housing instability and improve health and quality 

of life for individuals and families experiencing homelessness 

or at risk for homelessness.
70

Department of Housing and Urban Development

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Promote and expand research efforts 

to identify high-priority clinical and 

community preventive services and 

test innovative strategies to support 

delivery of these services.

HUD will support research and program evaluations that 

provide evidence linking HUD investments in housing 

remediation, neighborhood revitalization, and housing 

assistance programs to health promotion and disease 

prevention including studies of 1) home interventions to 

reduce asthma symptoms and injuries and improve outcomes 

for vulnerable populations; 2) neighborhood revitalization 

investments such as Choice Neighborhoods; 3) the effect 

of housing and related household decisions on childhood 

development; and 4) housing assistance for homeless and 

older adult populations in order to produce evidence showing 

how HUD investments in housing remediation, neighborhood 

revitalization, and housing assistance programs promote 

health and prevent disease.

HUD will collaborate with HHS to develop health profiles of 

HUD-assisted households to identify effective combinations 

of programs and services to improve the health and quality of 

life of residents.

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Identify and map high-need areas that 

experience health disparities and align 

existing resources to meet these needs.

HUD, in collaboration with HHS, VA, and other agencies, will 

identify activities that increase access of persons living with 

HIV/AIDS to housing and other nonmedical support services 

(e.g., mental health, substance abuse, and support services) 

as part of its efforts to implement the National HIV/AIDS 

Strategy and improve coordination, leverage resources, and 

engage local partners.

Tobacco Free Living Support states, tribes, and communities 

to implement tobacco control 

interventions and policies.

HUD is partnering with HHS to encourage the adoption and 

implementation of smoke free multi-unit housing policies 

among Public Housing Agencies by developing toolkits with 

information about smoke free living and identifying and 

disseminating best practices in the creation of smoke free 

housing. 

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
71

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Office of National Drug Control Policy

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

ONDCP will collaborate with HHS to support the integration 

of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment 

(SBIRT) program into health care settings, disseminate 

information about SBIRT to a wide variety of health care 

settings, highlight model programs that are using SBIRT, 

and encourage training opportunities for the allied health 

professions.

Preventing Drug Abuse and 

Excessive Alcohol Use

Foster development of a nationwide 

community-based prevention system 

involving state, tribal, local, and 

territorial governments and partners 

such as schools, health and social 

service systems, law enforcement, faith 

communities, local businesses, and 

neighborhood organizations.

ONDCP will continue to provide grants to local coalitions 

nationwide through its Drug Free Communities support 

program, a program developed to provide resources to 

community-based coalitions to develop data-driven strategic 

plans that increase community collaboration to reduce youth 

substance use.

Educate health care professionals 

on proper opioid prescribing, SBIRT, 

and effective use of prescription drug 

monitoring programs.

ONDCP will continue collaborating with HHS to issue and 

implement a Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Prescription 

Drug Abuse Among Youth as part of fulfillment of the 

National Drug Control Strategy.

Further investigate and heighten 

attention to issues related to driving 

under the influence of illicit and 

prescription drugs.

ONDCP will work with HHS on developing testing standards 

to detect drug use among drivers to facilitate the enforcement 

of existing drugged driving laws.

ONDCP will collaborate with DOT on drugged driving data 

collection to understand and improve strategies to prevent 

drugged driving.

Department of Agriculture

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners to enhance 

epidemiology and laboratory capacity, 

health information technology, and 

performance improvement.

USDA will continue to collaborate with HHS to address 

foodborne illnesses, linking state and local governments, and 

facilitate communication and decision making in emergency 

outbreaks.

USDA, in collaboration with the Food Emergency Response 

Network (co-chaired by USDA and HHS), will disseminate 

information regarding standards for federal, state, local, and 

industry laboratory testing and results to promote consistency 

and strengthen the food safety system.

Support state, tribal, local, and 

territorial partners in strategic 

health security planning efforts for 

pandemics, biological and chemical 

attacks, incidents affecting food and 

agriculture, natural disasters, and other 

catastrophic events.

USDA, along with HHS, will train health specialists to better 

assess foodborne outbreak response and will also provide 

technical assistance to organizations in support of their food 

safety training efforts.

USDA and HHS have developed high-level priority goals to 

reduce the rate of illnesses from certain high-risk pathogens in 

the population, especially salmonella. 
72

Department of Agriculture

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Identify and address barriers to the 

dissemination and use of reliable 

health information.

USDA is collaborating with states to improve health 

information by conducting outreach and education at retail 

sites on contamination of meat and poultry to help prevent 

foodborne illnesses at the retail level.

Use plain language in health 

information for the public in alignment 

with the Plain Writing Act.

USDA will continue to engage in public education efforts 

regarding food safety by using web-based (FoodSafety.gov) 

and social media platforms to communicate food safety issues 

to the public. This engagement includes an improved alert 

system for consumers to receive food safety information, such 

as notification of food recalls.

Support research and evaluation 

studies that examine health literacy 

factors in the study of other issues 

(e.g., patient safety, emergency 

preparedness, health care costs).

USDA will use consumer research to determine public 

understanding of product labeling and other health messages 

to enhance outreach and education programs in order to 

encourage healthier and safer food handling and ultimately 

contribute to preventing foodborne illness.

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

USDA will continue to support human nutrition research 

programs to continue building the evidence base on the role 

of nutrition and physical activity in preventing obesity and 

chronic disease in the United States.

USDA and The Ad Council, in partnership with HHS, will 

continue to support a national multimedia campaign called 

Food Safe Families, to raise awareness of the risks of foodrelated illnesses and motivate consumers to act to reduce 

their risk of food-related illnesses by learning about safer food 

handling. 

Elimination of Health 

Disparities

Identify and map high-need areas that 

experience health disparities and align 

existing resources to meet these needs.

USDA will invest in rural health care facilities, providing 

discretionary state director and administrator priority scoring 

points to projects within persistent poverty areas, colonies, 

and tribal communities in order to help eliminate health 

disparities in the United States.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
73

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Agriculture

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy Eating Work to ensure that foods purchased, 

distributed, or served in federal 

programs and settings meet standards 

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines 

for Americans.

USDA will work with states and local schools to align school 

meals to new nutrition standards in the National School 

Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, which 

were completed in January 2012 and based on the Dietary 

Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Doing so will ensure that the 

meals properly support good nutrition and a healthy weight 

for America’s school children.

Strengthen the nation’s comprehensive 

food safety system.

USDA and HHS are developing methods to better document 

and attribute foodborne illnesses to regulated food products 

to improve agency understanding of the products that pose 

the greatest risk to the public’s health and identify ways to 

reduce that risk.

Support initiatives to increase the 

availability of healthy and affordable 

foods in underserved urban, rural, and 

frontier communities.

USDA will improve access to healthy food from local and 

regional food systems by supporting school cafeterias, food 

banks and pantries, community kitchens, farmers markets, and 

community gardens to help Americans achieve a healthy diet. 

Provide information, tools, and 

expertise to help Americans understand 

and apply the Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans (e.g., MyPlate).

USDA will implement effective evidence-based strategies 

through national outreach such as Cooperative Extension and 

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education programs to help 

those with limited resources acquire the knowledge and skills, 

necessary for nutritionally sound diets. 

USDA will work with HHS to implement and translate the 

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 through tools and 

resources for nutrition educators, health professionals, and 

consumers to support healthy food choices and physical 

activity.

Implement programs and regulations 

to increase access to healthy food and 

eliminate food insecurity (e.g., Healthy, 

Hunger-Free Kids Act and USDA 

HealthierUS School Challenge).

USDA is working with schools across the nation to increase 

the number of schools certified under the HealthierUS School 

Challenge, a voluntary initiative recognizing schools that have 

created healthier school environments by promoting nutrition 

and physical activity, to help raise a healthier generation of 

kids.

Improve and expand the use of 

existing food and nutrition systems to 

track changes in eating patterns and 

conduct research to identify effective 

approaches.

USDA will conduct the national nutrition dietary survey, 

i.e. “USDA’s What We Eat in America/National Health and 

Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES),” to evaluate food 

and nutrient consumption and eating patterns of Americans.

Active Living Support adoption of active living 

principles in community design, such 

as mixed land use, compact design, 

and inclusion of safe and accessible 

parks and green space.

USDA will engage diverse and underserved communities 

through programs such as “National Get Outdoors Day” 

and “National Public Lands Day” and plan to increase 

participation in healthful outdoor recreation activities and 

support active living.
74

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Healthy and Safe 

Community Environments

Use housing development subsidies to 

promote mixed-income neighborhoods 

and access to safe and healthy housing.

VA, in collaboration with HUD, will provide permanent 

housing and ongoing case management treatment services 

through the Supportive Housing initiative (HUD-VASH) to 

support homeless veterans. 

Clinical and Community 

Preventive Services

Support delivery of clinical preventive 

services in various health care and 

out-of-home care settings, including 

Federally Qualified Health Centers; 

Bureau of Prisons, Department of 

Defense, and Veterans Affairs facilities; 

and among Medicare providers.

VA will implement Clinical Preventive Services Guidance 

Statements with recommendations for screening, counseling, 

immunizations, and preventive medications to support the 

delivery of clinical preventive services to veterans.

Improve monitoring capacity 

for quality and performance of 

recommended clinical preventive 

services.

VA will continue to monitor many clinical preventive 

services, report results on a monthly basis to medical facility 

leadership, and address issues related to these services as 

needed.

Encourage adoption of certified 

electronic health record technology 

that meets Meaningful Use criteria, 

particularly those that use clinical 

decision supports and registry 

functionality, send reminders to 

patients for preventive and followup care, provide patients with timely 

access to their health information (e.g., 

lab results, discharge instructions), 

identify resources available to 

patients, and incorporate privacy and 

security functions (e.g., encrypting 

health information to keep it secure, 

generating audit logs to record 

actions).

VA will provide veterans (whose identity has been verified) 

with access to their lab results, wellness reminders, and other 

health information in their medical records securely within 

the veteran web portal called My HealtheVet. This portal will 

provide veterans access to key portions of their electronic 

medical information.

Improve use of patient-centered 

medical homes and community health 

teams, which are supported by the 

Affordable Care Act.

VA will implement a model of patient-centered medical 

homes, called Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), throughout 

the VA health care system in order to provide accessible, 

coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care for 

veterans.

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
75

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Empowered People Identify and address barriers to the 

dissemination and use of reliable 

health information.

VA will implement an online Veterans Health Library within 

the My HealtheVet web portal, which will include veteranfocused information on a range of health topics that has been 

vetted by VA subject matter experts, to provide veterans with 

evidence-based, reliable, useful health information. 

Support research and programs that 

help people make healthy choices 

(e.g., understand how choices should 

be presented).

VA will implement a “Healthy Living” Communication 

Campaign for veterans with messages about eating wisely, 

being physically active, being tobacco free, being safe, 

limiting alcohol, getting recommended screening tests and 

immunizations, managing stress, striving for a healthy weight, 

and being involved in one’s health care to support veterans’ 

making healthy choices. 

VA will support home-based telehealth services for weight 

management through home telehealth devices and interactive 

voice response systems to improve access to care for those not 

easily able to be seen in clinic visits.

Tobacco Free Living Make cessation services more 

accessible and available by 

implementing applicable provisions of 

the Affordable Care Act, including in 

government health care delivery sites.

VA will support the delivery of evidence-based, effective 

tobacco cessation counseling to tobacco users through 

training of health care providers, screening patients for 

tobacco use, offering a variety of cessation services, and 

monitoring tobacco cessation processes to encourage and 

support smoking cessation efforts of veterans who use tobacco 

products.

Healthy Eating Work to ensure that foods purchased, 

distributed, or served in federal 

programs and settings meet standards 

consistent with the Dietary Guidelines 

for Americans.

VA is implementing a policy requiring food served in VA 

medical facilities, cafeterias, canteens, and vending machines 

to meet nutrition standards, such as providing nutritional 

information and labeling and appropriate portion sizes, and is 

supporting the development of teaching kitchens for veterans 

in order to support healthy eating practices.

Active Living Develop and disseminate clinical 

guidelines, best practices, and tools 

on increasing physical activity and 

reducing the number of overweight 

and obese individuals.

VA will implement the MOVE! Weight Management Program 

for Veterans for those who are obese or overweight through 

individual and group visits, telephone-based coaching, home 

telehealth, and web-based services to help veterans lose 

weight, keep it off, and improve their health.

Injury and Violence Free 

Living

Enhance enforcement of current safety 

regulations, provide training and 

technical assistance to improve worker 

safety, and empower workers to report 

health and safety concerns.

VA will implement a program for safe patient handling, 

including staff protocols and tools, in all Veterans Health 

Administration facilities in order to decrease musculoskeletal 

injuries among employees.
76

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Prevention Strategy 

Strategic Direction/Priority

National Prevention Strategy 

Federal Actions National Prevention Council Department Actions

Reproductive and Sexual 

Health

Increase access to comprehensive 

preconception and prenatal care, 

especially for low-income and at-risk 

women.

With the partnership of the VA/DOD Pregnancy Working 

Group, VA will continue to provide patient and evidencebased clinician education in support of quality preconception 

and prenatal care.

Promote and disseminate national 

screening recommendations for HIV 

and other STIs.

VA will promote screening for HIV, hepatitis, and other 

sexually transmitted infections through print, web-based, and 

in-person patient and clinician education to support testing 

and treatment of these conditions.

Mental and Emotional WellbeingImprove access to high-quality 

mental health services and facilitate 

integration of mental health services 

into a range of clinical and community 

settings (e.g., Federally Qualified 

Health Centers, Bureau of Prisons, 

Department of Defense, and Veterans 

Affairs facilities).

VA will continue to provide a best practice for suicide 

prevention through the National Veterans Crisis Line, a 24/7 

telephone, text, and live chat service, to connect veterans in 

crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA 

responders and decrease the incidence of intentional injuries.

Provide easy-to-use information about 

mental and emotional well-being for 

consumers, especially groups that 

experience unique stressors (e.g., 

U.S. Armed Forces, firefighters, police 

officers, and other emergency response 

workers).

VA has implemented a mobile phone application called 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Coach that helps users 

learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur 

after trauma. This application includes information on PTSD 

and treatments, tools for screening and tracking symptoms, 

information about easy-to-use skills to help people handle 

stress symptoms, and links to support and help, to provide 

interactive, reliable mental health resources for patients with 

PTSD. 

VA launched, in 2011, the web-based campaign Make the 

Connection that describes how veterans of all service eras, 

genders, and races successfully sought help for mental health 

services in an effort to encourage veterans to seek care. 

Department Action Items (by National Prevention 

Council Department as listed in Appendix 1)

Appendix 3
77

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

The information included in this Appendix is current as of June 2012 and is subject to change.

Healthy and Safe Community Environments

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

AmeriCorps http://www.americorps.gov/

Choice Neighborhoods http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/cn

Community Challenge Grants http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/sustainable_housing_communities/HUDDOT_Community_Challenge_Grants

Community Transformation 

Grants

http://www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/

Electronic Laboratory Reporting http://www.cdc.gov/ehrmeaningfuluse/elr.html

Emerging Infections Program http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dpei/eip/index.html

Epidemiology and Laboratory 

Capacity for Infectious Disease 

http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dpei/epidemiology-laboratory-capacity.html

Healthy Aging Program http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthy-aging/

First Lady’s Let’s Move! In Indian 

Country

http://www.doi.gov/letsmove/indiancountry/index.cfm

Food Emergency Response 

Network

http://www.fernlab.org/

Foodborne Diseases Active 

Surveillance Network (FoodNet)

http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/

ED-Green Ribbon Schools http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html

The Healthy Homes Program http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/hhi

National Forum on Youth 

Violence Prevention

http://www.FindYouthInfo.gov/youthviolence

National Health Security 

Strategy

http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/strategy/Pages/default.aspx

National Voluntary 

Environmental Assessment 

Information System 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/EHSNet/resources/nveais.htm

Partnership for Sustainable 

Communities

http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/

Partnerships for Environmental 

Public Health

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/programs/peph/index.cfm

Prevention Research Centers http://www.cdc.gov/prc/

Promise Neighborhoods http://www2.ed.gov/programs/promiseneighborhoods/index.html

PulseNet http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/

Quality Improvement 

Organizations

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/

QualityImprovementOrgs/index.html?redirect=/QualityImprovementOrgs/

Regional Extension Centers http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=1495&mode=2

Retired Senior Volunteer 

Program 

http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/programs/rsvp.asp

Section 811 Supportive Housing 

for Persons with Disabilities 

Program

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/mfh/grants/section811ptl

Appendix 4

Additional Information about

Programs/Initiatives
78

Healthy and Safe Community Environments

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Senior Companions http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/programs/sc.asp

Social Innovation Fund http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/innovation.asp

The HUD-VA Supportive Housing 

(HUD-VASH) Program to support 

homeless Veterans

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash

The Community Guide http://www.thecommunityguide.org/index.html

Clinical and Community Preventive Services

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Center for Medicare and 

Medicaid Innovation 

http://www.innovation.cms.gov/

Clinical Preventive Services 

Guidance Statements

http://www.prevention.va.gov

Community Transformation 

Grants

http://www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/

Comprehensive Primary Care 

Initiative

http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Comprehensive-Primary-Care-Initiative/index.html

Federally Qualified Health 

Centers 

https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Federally-Qualified-Health-Centers-FQHC-Center.

html?redirect=/center/fqhc.asp

Health Information Exchange 

Program

http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt/community/state_health_information_exchange_cooperative_

agreement_program/1336/home/16375

HealthCare.gov http://www.healthcare.gov/

Medicaid Home Health Agency 

Center

https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Home-Health-Agency-HHA-Center.html?redirect=/center/

hha.asp

Medical Quality Management 

and Credentialing Program

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_dhs_oha-medical%20credentials.pdf

Million HeartsTM http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html

My HealtheVet https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html

National Quality Strategy http://www.ahrq.gov/workingforquality/nqs/

National Vaccine Plan http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/vacc_plan/

Patient Aligned Care Teams 

(PACT)

http://www.va.gov/primarycare/pact/

Pioneer Accountable Care 

Organizations

http://innovations.cms.gov/initiatives/ACO/Pioneer/index.html

Screening, Brief Intervention, 

and Referral to Treatment 

(SBIRT) Program

http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention/sbirt/

Standards and Interoperability 

Framework

http://www.siframework.org/index.html

The Community Preventive 

Services Task Force

http://www.thecommunityguide.org/about/task-force-members.html

U.S. Preventive Services Task 

Force

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/

Additional Information about Programs/Initiatives

Appendix 4
79

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Empowered People

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Families and Children’s 

Education 

http://www.bie.edu/Programs/FACE/index.htm

FoodSafety,gov http://www.foodsafety.gov

Healthy Living Communications 

Campaign

http://www.prevention.va.gov/nine_healthy_living_messages.asp

National Plan to Improve Health 

Literacy

http://www.health.gov/communication/hlactionplan/

Plain Writing Act http://www.plainlanguage.gov/

Veterans Health Library http://www.veteranshealthlibrary.org/

Who Cares http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/whocares/index.shtm

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/whocares/espanol/index.shtml 

Elimination of Health Disparities

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Action Plan to Reduce Racial and 

Ethnic Health Disparities

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/templates/content.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=33&ID=285

Community Transformation 

Grants

http://www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/

Epidemic Intelligence Service http://www.cdc.gov/eis/index.html

Federal Interagency Working 

Group on Environmental Justice

http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/interagency/

Healthy People 2020 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx

HealthCorps http://www.healthcorps.org/

National Health Service Corps http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/

National HIV/AIDS Strategy http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas

Occupational Health Disparities 

Program

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/ohd/

Parents Central http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm

Public Health Prevention Service http://www.cdc.gov/PHPS/

Tobacco Free Living

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

National Tobacco Control 

Program

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/tobacco_control_programs/ntcp/index.htm

Population Assessment on 

Tobacco and Health Study

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm292894.htm 
80

Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

12 Cities HIV Program http://blog.aids.gov/downloads/NHAS-HHS-12.pdf

2010 National Drug Control 

Strategy

http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/2012-national-drug-control-strategy

Drug Court programs http://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/drug-courts/welcome.htm

Drug Free Communities Support 

Program

http://www.cadca.org/policyadvocacy/priorities/drug-free-communities-dfc-program

National Youth Anti-Drug Media 

Campaign

http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/anti-drug-media-campaign

Enhancing Access to Prescription 

Drug Monitoring Programs 

Initiative

http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=3870

Opioid Risk Evaluation and 

Mitigation Strategies Program

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm163647.htm

Screening, Brief Intervention and 

Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) 

Program

http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention/sbirt/

“We Don’t Serve Teens” http://www.DontServeTeens.gov 

Healthy Eating

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/

Breastfeeding Report Card http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 

2010

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dgas2010-policydocument.htm

Expanded Food and Nutrition 

Education programs

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/efnep/efnep.html

HealthierUS School Challenge http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthierus/index.html

National School Lunch Program http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/

School Breakfast Program http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/breakfast/

What We Eat in America/

NHANES Dietary Survey

http://www.ars.usda.gov/foodsurvey

Active Living

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

National Get Outdoors Day http://www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/

National Public Lands Day http://www.publiclandsday.org/

President’s Council on Fitness, 

Sports, and Nutrition

http://www.fitness.gov/

Program Performance Standards 

for Head Start and Early Head 

Start

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/standards/Head%20Start%20Requirements

Appendix 4

Additional Information about Programs/Initiatives
81

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

Active Living

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Healthy People 2020’s national 

objectives for Early and Middle 

Childhood and Physical Activity

http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=10

Presidential Active Lifestyle 

Award 

http://www.fitness.gov/presidents-challenge/presidential-active-lifestyle-award/

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines 

for Americans 

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/

We Can! (Ways to Enhance 

Children’s Activity & Nutrition) 

Program

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/

MOVE! Weight Management 

Program for Veterans

http://www.move.va.gov/

Injury and Violence Free Living

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

“Heads Up” Initiative http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html

National Action Plan for Child 

Injury Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/nap/

“Protect the Ones you Love” 

Initiative

http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/

Safe Routes to School http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/

“Walk and Bike Safely” 

Curriculum

http://www.nhtsa.gov/WalkBikeSafely

Reproductive and Sexual Health

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Action Plan for the Prevention, 

Care, and Treatment of Viral 

Hepatitis

http://www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/hepatitis/

Family and Medical Leave Act http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-fmla.htm

Health Center Program http://bphc.hrsa.gov/

Institute of Medicine Guidelines 

on Women’s Preventive Services

http://www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines/

Maternal and Child Health 

Services Block Grant Program

http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/titlevgrants/index.html

National HIV/AIDS Strategy http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas

National Intimate Partner and 

Sexual Violence Survey

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/

One Test, Two Lives http://www.actagainstaids.org/provider/ottl/index.html

Personal Responsibility and 

Education Program

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ebrochure2011/ACYF_FYSBPage10.htm

Strong Start Initiative http://innovations.cms.gov/initiatives/strong-start/
82

Reproductive and Sexual Health

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Sudden Unexpected Infant 

Death Initiatives

http://www.cdc.gov/sids/SUIDAbout.htm

Take Charge, Take the Test http://www.actagainstaids.org/promote/takecharge/tatc.html

Teen Pregnancy Prevention 

Program

http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/PreventTeenPreg.htm

Testing Makes Us Stronger http://www.hivtest.org/stronger/

Title X Family Planning Program http://www.hhs.gov/opa/title-x-family-planning/

Mental and Emotional Well-being

Name of Program/Initiative Additional Information

Defending Childhood Initiative http://www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood/

Make the Connection http://www.maketheconnection.net

Mental Health Parity and 

Addiction Equity Act

http://www.samhsa.gov/healthreform/parity/

National Network to Eliminate 

Disparities in Behavioral Health 

http://www.nned.net/

National Veterans Crisis Line http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Outreach Partnership Program http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/partnership-program/index.shtml

Preventing Child Maltreatment 

and Promoting Well-Being: 

A Network for Action 2012 

Resource Guide

http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/guide2012/

Project Launch http://projectlaunch.promoteprevent.org/

Race to the Top Learning 

Challenge

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge/index.html

Resilience Symposiums http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/2011-dhs-accomplishments-ensuring-resilience-to-disasters.shtm

Strategic Initiative on Public 

Awareness and Support

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA11-4629/10-PublicAwarenessAndSupport.pdf

Triple P–Positive Parenting 

Program®

http://www.triplep.net/

Additional Information about Programs/Initiatives

Appendix 4
83

National 

Prevention Council 

Action Plan

1. National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council. http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc. Accessed May 29, 2012. 

2. National Prevention Council, National Prevention Strategy. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon 

General, 2011. http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc/strategy/report.html. Accessed May 29, 2012.

3. Loeppke R, Taitel M, Haufle V, Parry T, Kessler R, Jinnett K. Health and productivity as a business strategy: a multi-employer study. J Occup Environ 

Med. 2009;51:411–428.

4. Current population survey. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2012. http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost. Accessed May 23, 2012.

5. US Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/

index.html. Accessed May 29, 2012. 

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Total Worker Health TM. http://www.

cdc.gov/niosh/TWH/. Accessed May 29, 2012. 

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Healthy Worksite. http://www.cdc.gov/NationalHealthyWorksite/. Accessed May 29, 2012.

8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . National Healthy Worksite Program Benefits. http://www.cdc.gov/nationalhealthyworksite/docs/NHWP_

ProgramBenefits_508_5.3.12.pdf. Accessed May 29, 2012.

9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses—United 

States, 2000–2004. MMWR 2008;57:1226-28.; US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of 

the Surgeon General. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic 

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses— United 

States, 2000-2004. MMWR. 2008;57:1226-8. 

11. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon 

General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health 

Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006. http://www surgeongeneral.

gov/library/secondhandsmoke/ 

12. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon 

General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health 

Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006. http://www surgeongeneral.

gov/library/secondhandsmoke/

13. The Department of Housing and Urban Development. Resident Characteristics Report (as of March 31, 2012) https://pic.hud.gov/pic/RCRPublic/

rcrmain.asp. Accessed May 29, 2012.

14. Environmental Protection Agency. Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke. http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healtheffects.html. Accessed May 

29, 2012.

15. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon 

General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health 

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