Advances in biomedical technology and drug therapy now help many Americans live longer and healthier lives than at any other time in the Nation’s history. However, medical breakthroughs alone cannot guarantee widespread improvements in health. Behavioral change also is needed. For example, many Americans do not get enough exercise; and according to recent reports, obesity is now in close contention with heart disease as the major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The high rate of heart disease and other chronic conditions also is linked to the continued use of tobacco products by millions of Americans. Addressing these challenges will require a focus on the behavioral and social factors that influence the public’s health.

The staff of Health Systems Research, Inc.'s (HSR's) Health Promotion Practice Area recognizes the complex interplay of social environment, access to health care, individual behavior, and genetic endowment on the health of individuals and populations. Through partnerships with public agencies, private organizations, health professionals, and other individuals across the United States, our Health Promotion Team develops, implements, and evaluates policies and programs designed to strengthen our Nation’s public health infrastructure. We help create systems of care that transform the promise of health promotion and disease prevention models into practice.