At EDC, we view health as the presence of physical, mental, and social well-being, not simply the absence of illness. If people are healthy, they can take full advantage of every opportunity to learn, work, and enjoy their lives. Our work in health promotion touches people at all points in their lives, from infancy to end-of-life care. We work with practitioners and professionals in all sectors of the health care system, as well as with schools and communities. In projects around the globe, we design, implement, and evaluate strategies to reduce and prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; HIV infection; injuries and violence. In all our efforts, we work with communities to devise programs that are sensitive and responsive to local needs, concerns, and resources. One of EDC's key roles is to build bridges between research and real-life practice. Focusing on "proven" and "effective" strategies—approaches that can be tested and confirmed to work—EDC creates tools, offers training, and builds partnerships to draw on the best practices in the field of health promotion. For example, EDC and the World Health Organization worked with Education International (the world's largest teacher trade union) to develop training programs on HIV prevention for African teachers; in the U.S. and around the world, EDC works with communities to assess and strengthen their infrastructure to address school health issues. Read on to learn more about our work in these areas: Prevention (Violence and Injury; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; HIV/AIDS) Chronic Disease/Pain Management Training and Technical Assistance
View
all EDC projects related to promoting health
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"The knowledge exists to tackle many of the greatest threats to health—such as HIV, tobacco, violence, malaria, and malnutrition. And, with technology, that knowledge is more easily accessible worldwide. The real work is to garner the political will and the know-how to get that knowledge applied." —Cheryl Vince Whitman, Senior Vice President and Director of EDC's Health and Human Development Programs
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Prevention (Violence and Injury; Alcohol, Tobacco,
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EDC's prevention work grows from the conviction that successful
efforts are comprehensive, multi-faceted, and committed to changing
the environments in which destructive behaviors thrive. All of EDC's
prevention programs draw on current research findings; we know,
for example, that two to four integrated strategies will work better
than one ad hoc effort. We know that people and communities need
the time, opportunity, and support to shape strategies to meet their
own needs. And we know that public health professionals and educators
need resources and support to sustain a workable program over the
long term. Find out more about EDC's prevention work on these three
key health issues:
View all EDC projects related to violence and injury prevention View
all EDC projects related to HIV/AIDS prevention
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A Closer Look |
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Community Health |
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One of the key lessons learned in the last few decades of public health research is the importance of understanding the subtle, unique characteristics of the communities in which people live and work. Prevention strategies that work well in one community may fail in other communities because they fail to address the needs of that population. We collaborate with local leaders and organizations, who work with us to shape programs and interventions to fit the needs of their communities—including schools, rural villages, urban neighborhoods, and college campuses. View all EDC projects related to community health
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"In my experience, alliances that work the best are decentralized—they share the ownership, the decision-making, and the work." —Christine Miara, Project Director in EDC's Health and Human Development Programs |
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Global Health |
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The components of good health and effective research-based health promotion are the same around the world—but specific strategies and interventions must vary to fit local environments and cultures. EDC works around the world on local health projects and also contributes to policy-level initiatives among global organizations. View all EDC projects related to global health
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"We know from research studies conducted in communities around the world that effective prevention messages have to be developed within a context. You can’t simply present facts and expect people to change longstanding practices and beliefs." —Scott Pulizzi, Project Director in EDC's Health and Human Development Programs
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Chronic Disease/Pain Management |
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Preventing and managing diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, HIV, cancer, and heart disease have long presented special challenges to health, education, and social service providers. EDC has pioneered professional medical education programs and institutional reforms that create an integrated approach to treating patients who suffer from chronic disease and/or acute pain. We disseminate knowledge of effective, humane, and comprehensive medical approaches and help health care agencies and practitioners adopt these approaches in real-life clinical settings. View all EDC projects related to chronic disease/pain management
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"Our work responds to calls for a more patient- and family-centered approach to the education of physicians and other health care professionals." —Millie Solomon, Vice President and Director of EDC's Center for Applied Ethics |
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Medical Ethics |
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New biomedical technologies offer hope and exciting possibilities for many patients. They also raise important questions about equitable use and integration into clinical practice. "Life-sustaining medical interventions, new reproductive technologies, and the burgeoning number of genetic screening tests bring with them the power both to do good and to do harm," says Mildred Z. Solomon, vice president and director of EDC's Center for Applied Ethics and Professional Practice. EDC works to design methods, materials, and guidelines to help health care professionals, patients, and families explore moral uncertainty and better handle conflicting values. View all EDC projects related to medical ethics
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A Closer Look |
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School Health |
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Students' health and their ability to learn are inextricably linked. When students are healthy, they are more able to succeed in school. EDC works with schools around the world to address all aspects of school life that can improve the health of students and staff. Key components include policy, curriculum, health and nutrition services, the psycho-social environment of the school, and health promotion for staff. |
A Closer Look | |
Curriculum |
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EDC has been developing curriculum since its beginning 50 years ago. Some of our products are among the leaders in their field. In health, we developed the nationally acclaimed Teenage Health Teaching Modules, a comprehensive curriculum for grades 6–12. Covering such topics as violence prevention, fitness, communication, eating well, feelings and stress, friendship, preventing AIDS, and sexuality, the curriculum is supplemented by teacher's guides and training. EDC has developed numerous other curricula including Healing the Hate, a middle school curriculum to combat prejudice and violence, the WHO Tobacco Control Curriculum, and in collaboration with Liz Claiborne Inc., the teen domestic violence prevention curriculum, Love Is Not Abuse. |
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Mental Health |
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EDC recognizes that mental health and well-being are the foundation for a productive, satisfying life. Our projects assist schools, health care professionals, and communities in addressing this issue, and stretch across the continuum from prevention to treatment. EDC also researches the relationship between mental health and other risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, and suicide. Among our mental health programs is the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) which provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals in developing suicide prevention programs, interventions, and policies to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. |
A Closer Look |
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Research/Evaluation |
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EDC conducts research to evaluate the effectiveness of school- and community-based programs. The research and evaluation informs policy and program planning, guides the choice and development of strategies, shapes the development of materials and training activities, measures changes in individual and systems behaviors, and assesses program reach and outcomes. Many EDC projects focus on translating research into practice. "We know a great deal about what works. However, the strategies that we know work need to be applied more consistently in schools and communities," says Cheryl Vince Whitman, director of EDC's Health and Human Development Programs. "As important as science is to EDC, we consider the dissemination of and support to use the results equally important." View all EDC projects related to research/evaluation
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A Closer Look |
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Training and Technical Assistance |
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To help schools, communities and agencies master and apply the most effective strategies to promote health, EDC offers on-site technical assistance and professional consultation. EDC teams are able to present customized trainings and assistance. For example, the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention works with 115 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grantees in schools and communities to use evidence-based strategies for mental health promotion and violence prevention. Through training, online learning, site visits, and peer exchange, the center provides a variety of consultation in grantees’ efforts to serve diverse audiences. View all EDC projects related to training and technical assistance |
"Part of the role we play is to provide a two-way connection—both within schools and communities and between communities and funders." —Lydia O'Donnell, Center Director in EDC's Health and Human Development Programs |
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