Resource Library
Programs of the Public Health Institute publish many reports and publications each year. In this section you will find a selection of some of this important work.
PHI Reports and Publications
Public Health Impacts of Climate Change in California
Climate Change Public Health Impacts Assessment and Response Collaborative (May 2008)
Funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this publication addresses community vulnerabilities as well as strategies for preventing and adapting to the effects of climate change in California.
Cancer in California, 2008
California Cancer Registry (April 2008)
Produced by the California Cancer Registry, this report summarizes cancer incidence and mortality rates in California from 1988 through 2005. The publication also offers a featured section called "Special Highlights on Cancers by Race and Ethnicity" which provides additional critical detail on cancers among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.
Cervical Cancer in California, 2008
California Cancer Registry (April 2008)
Produced by the California Cancer Registry, this report summarizes the state of cervical cancer in California. The publication was intended for use by a wide variety of readers including health care providers, policy makers, researchers, advocates, and women concerned about their health and well-being.
Health Inequities in the Bay Area
Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (April 2008)
Where you live can impact your life expectancy by as much as a decade, according to this new report produced by the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative at PHI. This publication outlines the many ways that social factors such as place of residence and income affect people’s health.
Healthy People 2010 Objectives: 23-Year Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Report 1984-2006
Survey Research Group (April 2008)
The Survey Research Group at PHI has prepared a new report examining California’s progress in reaching the Healthy People 2010 Objectives. This publication examines trends over time.
How to Create and Implement Healthy General Plans
Public Health Law & Policy (March 2008)
How can public health advocates and city planners work together to create healthy sustainable communities? PHI's Public Health Law & Policy has co-produced this toolkit to answer this very question. The toolkit details a range of strategies focused on the document that underlies all decisions about how a community's land is used.
Benefits of a Hospital-Based Peer Intervention Program for Violently Injured Youth
(November 2007)
In this paper, researchers report that Youth ALIVE!'s Caught in the Crossfire project, which was designed to reduce retaliation, re-injury, and arrest among violently injured youth, reduces the risk of criminal involvement. The program is also cost effective, according to the findings, which were published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
PHI Abstracts Presented at the 134th APHA Annual Meeting in Boston
(November 2006)
At the APHA annual meeting, PHI principal investigators, project directors, and staff presented close to forty presentations. Topics ranged from increasing emergency contraception access to increasing access to healthy foods, and from researching alcohol drinking patterns to evaluating youth violence intervention programs.
Captive Kids: Selling Obesity at Schools
An Action Guide to Stop the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods and Beverages at School
California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) (2006)
The Captive Kids: Selling Obesity at Schools tool kit addresses the issue of marketing unhealthy foods and beverages on California school campuses. While geared toward California health advocates, this tool kit may also be useful to health advocates outside of California.
No Time for Complacency: Teen Births in California
Norman A. Constantine, PhD & Carmen Rita Nevarez, MD, MPH (2006 Spring Update)
In literally every region of California, teen birth rates have declined over a four-year period. And while the statewide decrease of 8 percentage points between the years 2000 and 2004 is encouraging, the report’s authors caution that rates remain unacceptably high, tallying taxpayer and societal costs of more than $3.4 billion a year. The report examines birth rates by state Senate districts in the year 2000 and again in 2004, and updates and extends the original 2003 No Time for Complacency report.
The Food and Beverage Marketing on California High School Campuses Survey
Samuels & Associates (March 2006)
With underwriting from The California Endowment, The Food and Beverage Marketing on California High School Campuses Survey found the vast majority of all advertising – posters, vending ads, events, etc. – came from soda, beverage, fast food and junk food companies. Among the findings, nearly 65 percent of vending machine ads and 71 percent of logos displayed on equipment were for soda and other sweetened beverages.
Linkages Planning Guide
Kate Karpilow, PhD (October 2005)
The California Center for Research on Women and Families, a program of PHI, has published a training guide for counties to implement coordinated services programs to serve families receiving both welfare and child welfare services. The Planning Guide summarizes lessons learned and tested tools from 13 Pioneer Counties that developed Linkages programs and offers an innovative, web-based approach to training, providing links to more than 70 practice tools. A companion Linkages video is also available.
Creating Communities of Practice to close the knowledge to practice gap
Sharon Rudy, PhD (November 2005)
PHI is a founding member of the Implementing Best Practices Consortium, based at WHO in Geneva and with 22 member organizations worldwide. This presentation was made at a meeting of the WHO Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery which occurred November, 2005 at John Hopkins University School of Nursing. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the development of virtual Communities of Practices within the Collaborating Centers.
Impact of the California Project LEAN School Board Member Social Marketing Campaign
California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) (Summer 2005)
Under the leadership of California Project LEAN, a social marketing campaign was directed at California school board members to motivate them to advance nutrition-related policy issues at school board meetings and to enact and enforce school policies that support healthy eating. This article, which appeared in the Summer 2005 issue of Social Marketing Quarterly, explores the details of campaign development, implementation, and impact.
EvaluLEAD: A Guide for Shaping and Evaluating Leadership Development Programs
John T. Grove, Barry M. Kibel, and Taylor Haas (January 2005)
The purpose of the EvaluLEAD methodology is to assist in the exploration and documentation
of a leadership development program’s complex results. This EvaluLEAD Guide is intended for both evaluation and program staff to use for conceptualizing their leadership development programs.
Community-Based Social Marketing: The California Project LEAN Experience
California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) (2005)
This insightful document showcases successful examples of different social marketing campaigns throughout California
implemented by the Project LEAN regions. The document can serve as an invaluable tool for program planners and
community-based organizations who wish to use a social marketing approach for implementing behavior change.
Food on the Run: Lessons from a Youth Nutrition and Physical Activity Campaign
Peggy Agron MA, RD; Victoria Berends, BS; Amanda Purcell, MPH; Jennifer Robertson, MS, RD; and Erika Takada, MPH (2005)
This guide is useful for those who work with teens and provides real life examples of how Food on the Run, a
California-based project worked with youth advocates to make healthy eating and physical activity easier to do at
their schools. The document describes the steps for implementing a nutrition and physical activity youth advocacy program.
Incorporating a Public Health Approach in Drug Law: Lessons from Local Expansion of Treatment Capacity and
Access under California's Proposition 36
Dorie Klein, Robin E. Miller, Amanda Noble and Richard Speiglman (December 2004)
The Milbank Quarterly, 82(4): 723-757
A major state drug abuse initiative, California's Proposition 36, mandated that adults convicted of drug possession
be offered treatment in lieu of incarceration. Using data from a study of key informants in eight counties, this article
examines local planning to increase drug treatment capacity and manage clients' access to treatment.
Advancing the State of the Art in Community Benefit: A User’s Guide to
Excellence and Accountability
Public Health Institute (November 2004)
“Advancing the State of the Art in Community Benefit: A User’s Guide to Excellence and Accountability” is the product
of a multi-state demonstration project administered by the Public Health Institute that involves three health systems
and three independent hospitals, a total of 73 facilities in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. This guide outlines
a set of uniform standards and principles to enhance nonprofit hospital efforts to address the underlying causes of
health problems in low-income, ethnically and culturally diverse communities.
Findings from the 1999 California Children's Healthy Eating and Exercise Practices Survey: Intervention Implications and Campaign Evaluation
Angie Jo Keihner, MS, and Tanya Garbolino, MBA (September 2004)
This report provides a new analysis of the 1999 California Children’s Healthy Eating and Exercise
Practices Survey and offers a snapshot of a typical school day for 9- to 11-year-old children. The report
identifies useful methods for improving the impact of nutrition education and physical activity interventions
among children. These findings can help parents, schools, and community stakeholders respond to the growing
concern about low fruit and vegetable consumption, lack of regular physical activity and the rise in overweight among children.
Understanding Nutrition: A Primer on Programs and Policies in California African American 5 a Day Research Briefs 1999 California Children’s Healthy Eating and Exercise Practices Survey Policymakers' Symposium Highlights—Issues in Newborn Genetic Screening in California Second Start Program Evaluation: A Study of a Shallow Rent Subsidy Program for People Living with HIV/AIDS and Returning to Work Health of California's Adults, Adolescents, and Children - Findings from CHIS 2001 Alameda County-wide Shelter and Services Survey Oakland Report Berkeley Report California's Obesity Crisis: Focus on Solutions Tobacco Laws Affecting California There is No Constitutional Right to Smoke Fruits and Vegetables and Physical Activity at the Worksite: Business Leaders and Working Women Speak Out on Access and Environment Strong Bones, Healthy Family Promotora Curriculum Media, Festival, Farmer's/Flea Market, and Grocery Store Interventions Lead to Improved Fruit and Vegetable Consumption for California Latinos No Time for Complacency: Teen Births in California 2003 California High School Fast Food Survey: Findings and Recommendations Distracted by Drama: How California Newspapers Portray Intimate Partner Violence: Berkeley Media Studies Group Issue 13 Health Food Policy Resource Guide The
policy resource guide is designed for use by school board members and school
administrators who want to positively affect the health of students. The guide
offers a step-by-step approach for creating a healthy school environment so
students can practice healthy eating habits while at school. Testimony on Public Health Governance Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in California Adults: Ten Year Highlights form the California Dietary Practices Surveys 1989-1999 The Status of Community Benefit in California: A Statewide Review of Exemplary Practices and Key Challenges San Joaquin County CalWORKs Needs Assessment and Outcomes Study Policy Ideas for Community Nutrition and Physical Activity Fresh Ideas for Community Nutrition and Physical Activity Alameda County CalWORKs Needs Assessment and Outcomes Study
Research Brief. Welfare and Work Status under TANF: Effect of Barriers to Employment and Implications for
Program Planning Policy Brief. Child Care Essential Ingredient for Sustained, Full-Time Work for Welfare Recipients Taking the Fizz out of Soda Contracts: A Guide to Community Action Cancer in California, 2002 Placental Characteristics and Reduced Risk of Maternal Breast Cancer Prevalence and Specifics of District-wide Beverage Contracts in California’s Largest School Districts: Findings and Recommendations California Teen Eating, Exercise and Nutrition Survey (CalTEENS)
California Children's Eating and Exercise Practices Survey: Fruits and Vegetables, A Long Way to Go
California High School Fast Food Survey: Findings and Recommendations
Playing the Policy Game
Diane F. Reed, MPH, and Kate Karpilow, PhD (August 2004)
Understanding Nutrition: A Primer on Programs and Policies in California is one in a series of primers offered to
assist practitioners and policy leaders in advancing their basic knowledge of complex social service systems. This Primer
offers a statistical profile of the weight, dietary practices, and physical activity of Californians, a review of the relevant
federal and state governmental structures and laws, a description of the programs supporting nutrition and community food
security, and a review of the key policy issues.
The Primer was produced by the California Center for Research on Women and Families (CCRWF), a program of the
Public Health Institute. Funding for the Primer was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program,
through the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families.
California African American 5 a Day Campaign (2004)
The California African American 5 a Day Campaign conducted festival surveys of African
Americans statewide to identify the shopping habits and out-of-home eating practices
related to fruit and vegetable consumption. Two research briefs were created to summarize
the significant findings.
California Department of Health Services (2004)
The 1999 California Children’s Healthy Eating and Exercise Practices Survey data tables
include in depth analyses of California children’s dietary intake and practices, physical
and sedentary activity, knowledge and awareness of the California Children’s 5 a Day—Power
Play! Campaign, and factors that influence these behaviors including out-of-home eating,
social norms, school environment, poverty status, weight status, as well as knowledge,
attitudes, and beliefs.
Public Health Institute (August 2004)
The Policymakers' Symposium Highlights document the uneven access in California and across the
country to newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism, developmental disability, and physical
disability. The Highlights also state that new technologies can offer early identification of these
rare but important conditions. Such conditions can cause billions of dollars of health care costs as
well as burdening families with children who suffer from these preventable conditions.
The Highlights are based on the March 2004 Policymakers' Symposium on Newborn Genetic Screening held
in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the March of Dimes, and
the Public Health Institute.
When Sen. Deirdre Alpert came to the Symposium, she promised that she would push through legislation
to expand the number of tests performed on California infants. Her efforts resulted in the Governor signing
her bill, SB 142. The full story appeared
in California Healthline.
Jean Norris, MS, RD, DrPH & Richard Speiglman, DCrim (July 2004)
The most important thing underpinning successful HIV/AIDS treatment is stable housing. Successful treatment with
newer therapies is providing many with longer life, better health and a desire to return to the workforce. Using
HUD SPNS-funding, the Second Start Program (SSP) in San Francisco provides a partial rent subsidy and vocational
rehabilitation services to people living with HIV/AIDS who are taking active steps to return to workforce. This
study uses multivariate models to analyze factors contributing to (1) longer participation in the subsidy program,
and (2) to positive, negative and housing-related exits. The SSP succeeds in keeping clients housed with tenant-based
partial rent subsidies, in some cases until a higher level of care and housing support can be obtained. The SSP
also succeeds in helping clients return to school or work, particularly those with little work history.
Sue Holtby, MPH; Elaine Zahnd, PhD; Wei Yen, PhD; Nicole Lordi; Christy McCain, MPH; Charles DiSogra, DrPH (May 2004)
This report presents findings from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the largest population
-based state health survey conducted in the United States. The report provides some key estimates of
public health data for the adult, adolescent and child population of California. It is organized to
allow for quick reference to specific topics or demographic groups. The report also gauges how well
Californians are doing compared to the goals of Healthy People 2010. The tables and brief narratives
make this report an excellent resource for anyone interested in public health in California.
Richard Speiglman & Jean C. Norris (May 2004)
Report of characteristics, patterns of service use, and unmet needs of the homeless population of Alameda County,
as well as those of housed individuals using services for very low income or homeless persons. Estimates of the
number of homeless persons are reported for the cities of Berkeley and Oakland, and two sub-regions comprising
the rest of the County.
County Report
What Schools Can Do
Public Health Institute (March 2004)
Technical Assistance Legal Center, Public Health Institute (February 2004)
This user-friendly booklet provides an overview of tobacco laws that affect California.
It contains summaries of the tobacco-related laws that took effect as of January 1, 2004. It includes
information on California state laws and regulations related to tobacco, as well as on federal laws and regulations
that apply within California.
Technical Assistance Legal Center, Public Health Institute (February 2004)
Proponents of smokers’ rights often claim that an individual has a constitutional right to smoke, and that
laws regulating smoking discriminate against smokers illegally. But courts have consistently rejected these arguments.
The Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC) has developed this new memo outlining why a smoking regulation will be
upheld as constitutional, so long as it is rationally related to a legitimate government objective such as protecting
public health.
Desiree R. Backman, DrPH, RD; James S. Carman, MS; Steven G. Aldana, PhD (January 2004)
Huesos Fuertes Familia Saludable
Elizabeth Moreno, RD, CDE; Luz Maria Rodriguez, BA; Nestor Martinez, MPH, RD; Cyndi Guerra-Walter, BA (December 2003)
California Project LEAN develops this Spanish curriculum for community health workers includes four educational sessions and corresponding handouts on osteoporosis risk factors and prevention, importance of calcium rich foods and physical
activity for bone health, and tips for over coming barriers to improving bone health. It includes a CD-ROM in English.
Desiree R. Backman, DrPH, RD; Gian C. Gonzaga, PhD (June 2003)
Norman Constantine, PhD & Carmen Nevarez, MD, MPH (March 2003)
Despite a 40 percent reduction in the teen birth rate in California over the past decade, this report warns that it is still a significant problem and is likely to get worse. Factors likely to drive up teen birth rates include demographic changes and increased poverty rates. The report makes recommendations for keeping the birth rates down
Sarah Samuels (February 2003)
This latest PHI survey gathers a second set of information that describes the forces which shape the environment
in which California high school students make food choices. The results of the 2003 survey assess the factors that influence
fast food sales on high school campuses, identify current nutritional standards applied to the sale of competitive foods,
determine the role food service directors play in selecting foods sold and in managing funds generated from the sale of a la
carte foods, and identify the feasibility of implementing nutrition standards for a la carte foods.
John McManus, PhD & Lori Dorfman, DrPH (2003)
Developed in collaboration with the California School Boards Association (link to www.csba.org), this California Project LEAN policy resource guide is designed for use by school board members and school administrators who want to positively affect the health of students. The guide offers a step-by-step approach for creating a healthy school environment so students can practice healthy eating habits while at school.
The guide outlines the link between nutrition, physical activity and learning; addresses the nutritional and physical activity status of children and youth; highlights school districts that are successfully offering healthy foods and beverages; and provides sample school district policies and tools.
Victoria Berends, BS; Martin Gonzalez, Esq.; Peggy Agron, MA, RD; Tammie Voss, MA, RD (2003)
Joseph M. Hafey, MPA (November 2002)
Testimony on public health governance presented to the Little Hoover Commission on November 18, 2002.
Michelle Oppen, MPH, CHES (November 2002)
Highlights the important trends in fruit and vegetable consumption in the past 10 years and summarizes the latest public health recommendations for making healthy choices. The survey was administered by PHI.
Kevin Barnett, DrPH, MCP (May 2002)
This study, funded by the California Endowment, documents high-quality community health initiatives supported by nonprofit hospitals to address unmet health-related needs in local communities, with a particular focus on identifying key elements of these initiatives that reflect a commitment to make optimal use of charitable resources.
Jean C. Norris, Richard Speiglman & Lisa K. Dasinger (February 2002)
Jean C. Norris, Lisa K. Dasinger, Robin E. Miller & Richard Speiglman (December 2002)
Two reports from a two-wave, longitudinal panel study that followed a representative sample of adult recipients of CalWORKs cash assistance in San Joaquin County. Respondents were subject to work requirements in when selected into the study in March 2000.
Center for Civic Partnerships (2002)
From Organizational Practices to Public Polices: Local Strategies to Increase Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Center for Civic Partnerships (2002)
This guide is the fourth in a series of planning guides produced by PHI's Center for Civic Partnerships, each focusing on an aspect of contempory health or quality of life. This volume gives voice to the impact that community-based nutrition and physical activity promotion programs can have on residents -- adults and youth alike. The guide begins with an overview of the issue, followed by case studies of successful strategies, a reference list for further reading, and resource ideas. Examples and case studies are drawn primarily from the six communities that received multi-year grants from California Healthy Cities and Communities and the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families. Other initiatives in California and the United States are highlighted as well.
Reports from a three-wave, longitudinal panel study that followed a representative sample of adult
recipients of CalWORKs cash assistance in Alameda County. Respondents were subject to work requirements
when selected into the study in 1998.
Jean C. Norris & Richard Speiglman (2004)
An extension of the study, the brief uses barrier measures from all three waves of survey data, matched
to California state administrative data on welfare and work outcomes. Transportation and childcare
barriers are found to matter most and, the authors argue, must remain adequately funded and focused for
maximum impact of welfare reform.
Richard Speiglman & Jean C. Norris (2004)
Addressing outcomes presented in the Research Brief, the Policy Brief discusses the finding that full-time work
is three to four times more likely when a family has secure child care arrangements. The Policy Brief argues that
child care and other work supports are essential for parent success in the workplace. Accordingly, TANF reauthorization
needs to promote flexible mechanisms for parents to tackle employment barriers, including through access to quality services.
Richard Speiglman, Lisa K. Dasinger, Jean C. Norris, Anne K. Driscoll, Rex S. Green, Lynn Fujiwara,
Shanthi Kappagoda & Robin E. Miller (1999 - 2003)
California Project LEAN Jennifer Robertson, MS, RD (2002)
A guide to help individuals or groups of people trying to combat school district soft drink contracts.
Perkins CI, Kwong SL, Morris CR, Cohen R, Allen M, Wright WE (December 2001)
Facts and statistics on the prevalence of various forms of cancer in the state of California
Barbara A. Cohn, Piera M. Cirillo, Roberta E. Christianson, Barbara J. van den Berg, Pentii K. Siiteri (December 2001)
Women who have preclampsia during pregnancy are at reduced risk of subsequent breast cancer. This study examined whether other markers of reduced placental size or function predict a reduction in maternal breast cancer.
Samuels and Associates (2001)
This Public Health Institute report provides a qualitative analysis of the prevalence and specifics of contracts with soda companies in California’s 25 largest school district. The report found that district beverage contracts limit school district control over the types of beverages sold at school, directly affecting student’s nutritional choices.
Susan B. Foerster, MPH (September 2000)
The California Teen Eating, Exercise and Nutrition Survey(CalTEENS), the first comprehensive statewide study to sample the eating, exercise and body weight of California's two million teens, paints a bleak picture of the health of California's adolescents. Survey results showed a sizeable portion of the state's adolescents suffering from physical inactivity, poor nourishment and obesity - behaviors that health experts warn could lead to record rates of adult heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.
Public Health Institue (April 2000)
The first California Children's Eating and Exercise Practices Survey (CalCHEEPS) was conducted from April 21 to June 28, 1999. The findings on fruit and vegetable consumption are alarming.
Sarah Samuels (February 2000)
In 1999, California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) and the Public Health Institute (PHI) recognized the growing problem of unhealthy foods on California high school campuses. Using funds from The California Endowment, PHI commissioned Samuels & Associates to work with California Project LEAN to research this issue. This research included a survey in which district food service directors were asked about the prevalence of fast foods on California high school campuses. The results of the 2000 California High School Fast Food Survey described the types of fast food sold on California high school campuses, the factors that influenced such sales, and the associated economic and policy issues.
Amanda Purcell, MPH; Peggy Agron, MA, RD; Cyndi Guerra-Walter, BA; Sarah Samuels, DrPH; Lisa Craypo, MPH, RD (2000)
This California Project LEAN tool kit highlights nutrition and physical activity policies in the school and community that teens can pursue with adult guidance. The booklet includes a collection of activities and success stories of California teens making nutrition and physical activity policy changes in their communities.
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