Guide to Community Preventive Services

What is the Guide to Community Preventive Services and who is developing it?

The Community Guide is a document that provides up to date systematic review of evidence-based practices and research on what works in public health issues.  It was developed by a non-Federal Task Force on Community Preventive Services, appointed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This group was convened in 1996 by the Department of Health and Human Services to provide leadership in the evaluation of community, population, and health care system strategies to address a variety of public health and health promotion topics

The Task Force is supported by staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and by a variety of public and private partners. Although convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Task Force is an independent, decision-making body. 

Evidence-based Motor Vehicle findings

The Community Guide's systematic review of the effectiveness of selected population-based interventions addressing motor vehicle occupant injuries focused on strategies within three strategic areas:

• Increasing the proper use of child safety seats  
• Increasing the use of safety belts  
• Reducing alcohol-impaired driving

Use of Child Safety Seats

• Child Safety Seat Laws = recommended by strong evidence
• Community-wide information and enforcement = recommended by sufficient evidence
• Distribution and education campaigns = recommended by strong evidence
• Incentive and education campaigns = recommended by sufficient evidence
• Education-only programs = insufficient evidence

Use of Safety Belts

• Safety belt laws = recommended by strong evidence
• Primary enforcement laws = recommended by strong evidence
• Enhanced enforcement = recommended by strong evidence

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Page last updated: 06/15/2006

ACT for Health, Adolescent and Child Targets for Health Foundation, Inc., is an educational and charitable non-profit, non-governmental organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.