National Prevention Strategy

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Representing the nation's 2,800 local governmental health departments (LHDs), NACCHO is advancing the nation's efforts to prevent diseases and helping American's live more healthful and productive lives. NACCHO, in conjunction with its membership supports the achievement of the goals delineated under the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) and are is taking action along with local partners, and local communities to promote policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to address disease risk factors.

In the Spotlight

New NACCHO Fact Sheet on the National Prevention Strategy Now Available

NACCHO is pleased to announce the release of a new fact sheet, titled National Prevention Strategy Simplified: Local Health Departments' Roadmap to Health and Wellness. This fact sheet describes how NPS can support LHDs in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of integrated chronic disease prevention efforts with specific recommendations and actions for carrying out NPS Strategic Directions and Priorities. Download a copy of the fact sheet here.

What can local health departments do to implement the National Prevention Strategy?

With the passing of the ACA and the changing dynamics in local, state, and federal levels of government, local health departments are in the unique position to aide their communities in implementing the NPS. Local health departments can engage local stakeholders including elected officials, business community, faith-based institutions, and health providers and serve as data and information experts on the impact that a healthy community will have in their local area and region. Roles that local health departments can undertake in the implementation of the NPS:

Serve as Community Health/Health Impact Assessment experts
Form local coalitions of stakeholders and community members to disseminate the goals, objectives, and benefits of the NPS
Advocate for the implementation of priorities and recommendations listed in the NPS
Advocate for the strengthening of local policies and programs that overlap with priorities and recommendations listed in the NPS
Enhance data collection activities on chronic diseases, especially in the area of epidemiology
Work with other partner organizations, local health departments, and the Federal government to disseminate lessons learned

For a copy of the entire National Prevention Strategy, click here

New Department of Defense Press Release on its Healthy Base Initiative

The Department of Defense (DOD) reported this week the selection of 13 sites for its Healthy Base Initiative, "a demonstration project for Operation Live Well, aimed at increasing the health and wellness of the total force, including wellness and family members." The press release from DOD cites the programs as part of the NPS and complementing the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign.

Two-Part Webinar Series

Implementing the National Prevention Strategy at the Local Level

NACCHO''s two-part webinar series, "Implementing the National Prevention Strategy at the Local Level," is now available online. The first part of the series, "Working with Non-Traditional Partners to Improve Community Health," discussed how local public health officials and staff members can implement the National Prevention Strategy by working with non-traditional partners using a health in all policies approach. You can access it here.

The second installment featured local health department success stories on using a multi-sector approach to building healthier communities and combating tobacco, obesity, and chronic disease. You can access it here.

NACCHO's National Prevention Strategy External Site

Visit NACCHOs National Prevention Strategy external site for more information on how LHD's can use the NPS. Click here