Prevention Institute is proud to lead and collaborate on California state policy efforts that advance health equity and racial justice. We work alongside community-based organizations, statewide advocates, and state and local governments to conduct research, advance equity narratives, and change systems and policies to achieve material improvements for residents most impacted by health inequities. PI's advocacy has accelerated public investments in safe and healthy neighborhood conditions and created more democratic and inclusive policies and processes. Our current policy priorities include:

1. Strengthening community-driven approaches to safety and wellbeing

2. Healthy, equitable built environments and land use planning

3. Aligning public investments with health equity and racial justice

Legislative and Budget Priorities

Prevention Institute tracks, supports, and advocates for bills that advance our three policy priorities. Read our legislative and budget policy priorities for the 2024 session.

Administrative and Implementation Priorities

Photo Credit: Human Impact Partners

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-16-22 directs the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research to create a Racial Equity Commission. The eleven-member commission will develop a statewide Racial Equity Framework that identifies methodologies and tools that state government can employ to advance racial equity and address structural racism. Prevention Institute joins statewide health and racial equity organizations advocating for resources, transparent processes, and accountability to residents most impacted by racial inequities to ensure the Commission develops a transformative Racial Equity Framework.

  • Prevention Institute is a member of the Prop 64 Advisory group, an advisory body of public health practitioners and government staff who share emerging trends in youth substance use, make recommendations to DHCS on best practices for youth substance prevention, and provide feedback on Youth Education Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account (YEPEITA) funded program assessment, implementation and evaluation.

California’s Prop 64 Youth Fund: an opportunity to promote equity and prevent substance use among youth. This brief offers a framework for thinking about substance use prevention and describes critical components of successful youth-focused initiatives, highlighting successful community-based programs. 

State Budget

Photo credit: Vince Leus

PI Policy Briefs and Platforms

Photo credit: Erika Giraud

This policy brief provides legislative and administrative policy recommendations for policymakers and funding administrators to bake equity into each phase of a public funding program: from design, to implementation, to oversight, and evaluation.

This report, developed in collaboration with California-based organizations—including the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN), ChangeLab Solutions, and Prevention Institute—with funding from the Blue Shield of California Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation, shares how local governments can better partner with community organizations to create a more equitable recovery from the social, economic, and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Developed in partnership with California’s health funders, this report provides policy recommendation to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress by focusing investments on improving the community conditions–including housing, paid family leave, and restorative justice–that contribute to safety and well-being.

This brief calls on California communities, families, decision-makers, business leaders, and lawmakers to take a proactive and affirmative stance on key prevention strategies. The brief also identifies policy strategies both community members and lawmakers can engage in to foster a fair, just, and prosperous state for all residents.