The first years of a child’s life are a critical developmental period that can shape immediate and long-term well-being, making prenatal development and early childhood a key window to support healthy development and prevent harm. Resilient communities, safe housing, quality early childhood care and education, and supportive relationships with caregivers can all have a significant impact on immediate health and well-being across the life course. Through research, multi-sector collaboration, and advocacy, PI works to advance prevention practice on critical early childhood issues, including access to healthy foods and safe places to play and protection from violence, exploitation, and trauma. Prevention Institute also serves on the California Essentials for Childhood steering committee.

Projects & Initiatives

PI works with a breadth of partners and communities to develop strategies and practices to keep people healthy and safe in the first place. Below is a selection of ongoing or recent projects.

  • Strategic Alliance

    Informed by community wisdom and experience, the Strategic Alliance network of advocates shines a light on the role that corporate and government practices play in shaping food and activity environments.

Publications & Other Resources

We research and write reports, white papers, fact sheets, opinion pieces, and journal articles, as well as produce videos and podcasts. Here are some of our latest offerings.

Tools & Services

We have developed a broad range of practical, free-to-use tools to guide practitioners, advocates, and policymakers in planning and implementing  prevention strategies. We also provide services to help you use our tools to create healthy and safe communities.

  • A Practitioner's Guide for Advancing Health Equity

    This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guide, developed with help from Prevention Institute, helps public health practitioners advance health equity through community prevention strategies.

Profiles in Action

These profiles, written by PI and our partners, show what community prevention looks like on the ground, all across the country.

  • We're Not Buying It: Stop Junk Food Marketing to Kids

    Watch the video and share! "We're Not Buying It" exposes deceptive marketing to children, debunks industry claims, and highlights the latest research. When we put children first, the plan of action is clear: companies should market the foods that keep kids healthy, not sugary cereals and other junk food. The IWG guidelines will help to do just that.