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"Best practices" is a term commonly used in both the health and higher education fields, but not always with a common understanding of what it means.  Some other terms interchanged with best practices include "exemplary," "evidence-based," "model," "science-based" or "research-based" programs.

The underlying assumption with these terms is that a certain activity or group of activities has been studied and the data gathered and analyzed points to the achievement of intended positive, health-related outcomes as a result.

The term "promising practice" is sometimes used to differentiate between activities that have shown effectiveness in achieving intended outcomes in one study or with one type of population, and "best practices" where effectiveness has been shown in multiple, replicated studies.

Best practices are not necessarily activities instantly recognized as most popular, most frequently implemented, or most creative/innovative.  They are strategies that if implemented appropriately, can move institutions to a higher level of achievement in attaining prevention and health promotion outcomes in their student populations.


Best Practices Links

Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence Blueprints for Violence Prevention

Colorado Prevention Leadership Council Best Practices

Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness

SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework

Institute of Medicine Reducing Underage Drinking:  A Collective Responsibility Report Brief

National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse A Call to Action:  Changing the Culture of Drinking at Our Nation's Colleges

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide

Putting What Works to Work:  A Project of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

RAND Getting to Outcomes:  Promoting Accountability Through Methods and Tools for Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices

SAMHSA Pocket Guide to Evidence-Based Practice on the Web

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

University of Toronto Centre for Health Promotion Best Practices in Health Promotion