Develop Evidence-Based Policies

The Community Guide provides information on public health interventions, organizational policies, and local, state, and national decisions that have been proven to work.

The Community Guide helps decision makers:

• Identify which policies promote public health and at what cost
• Draft evidence-based policies and legislation
• Justify funding decisions and proposals
• Support policies and legislation that promote health and safety

Following are just a few of the CPSTF findings for public health policies.

• Tobacco Use: Smoke-Free Policies
• Motor Vehicle Injury Child Safety Seats: Laws Mandating Use
• Vaccination Programs: Requirements for Child Care, School, and College Attendance
• Dental Caries (Cavities): Community Water Fluoridation

Review the following resources to learn more about ways The Community Guide can help you improve health and safety in your community.

• Community Guide in Action stories feature examples of organizations, businesses, and communities that have used The Community Guide to inform policy decisions
• Translating evidence into policy: lessons learned from the case of lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers. Mercer SL, Sleet DA, Elder RA, Cole KH, RA Shults, Nichols JL. Annals of Epidemiology 2010;20(6):412-20.