National Prevention Strategy (NPS)

The 2011 National Prevention Strategy (NPS) was authorized by the Affordable Care Act. NPS identifies strategic directions and priorities that promote good health and outlines federal actions that will improve the health of all Americans. The NPS aims to guide our nation in the most effective and achievable means for improving health and well-being. The Strategy prioritizes prevention by integrating recommendations and actions across multiple settings to improve health and save lives.

The seven NPS priorities are:

• Tobacco Free Living
• Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use
• Healthy Eating
• Active Living
• Injury and Violence Free Living
• Reproductive and Sexual Health
• Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE)

In 2011, Scientist officers developed a white paper entitled The Scientist Category Prevention Strategy. This document detailed the contributions of Scientist officers across the seven NPS priority areas. By 2012, Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) was founded by Scientist officers, with the goal of unifying and standardizing community outreach efforts across USPHS volunteers. Since then, PACE has grown into an organization that is separate from SciPAC and is now an organization chartered by the United States Surgeon General to provide evidence-based health education to local communities. In order to meet its mission, PACE builds relationships and trust between the Commissioned Corps and city/state health and education institutions, federal partners, and local communities, including local business and faith-based organizations.

Under PACE, Commissioned Corps Officers develop community outreach activities, aligned with the initiatives of the Office of the Surgeon General and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. PACE also develops lesson plans and resources for use in the community setting nationwide. Materials presented during PACE events are tailored to be inclusive of multiple ages, demographics, and languages. SciPAC officers often utilize PACE resources to implement activities that focus on the NPS priorities.

Visit the following links to learn more and become involved in PACE:

• Seven Prevention Priorities of USPHS Scientist Officers
• Join the PACE listserv
• Follow PACE on Twitter
• Find resources on the PACE Max.gov site
  Join the PACE max.gov site using your federal email address. If you do not have a federal email, contact LCDR Johnathan Leshin at jonathan.leshin@fda.hhs.gov for access.
• Contact the SciPAC PACE Liaison