NARRATOR: These older adults are just a few of the Americans
leading healthier lives
thanks to research by the Prevention Research Centers,
or PRCs --
a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The PRC program is a research network
hosted by Schools of Medicine or Public Health.
Each PRC finds new ways to reduce chronic diseases,
such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Chronic conditions are the leading causes
of death and disability,
responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States.
But the picture doesn't have to look bleak.
Chronic disease is the most preventable
of all health problems.
The PRCs tackle the situation by conducting research
to transform community environments
and influence policies that improve health.
The PRCs collaborate with underserved populations
whose health risks are greater than the national average.
MAN: So, here's an opportunity...
NARRATOR: Each PRC has a community committee or board
that pinpoints health issues
and helps create and tests solutions.
This input makes it likely that community members
will participate in the research
and adopt successful policies and programs,
because the solutions fit the community.
The PRCs range of community connections and expertise
is broad.
Some centers focus on strategies for healthy aging,
like Enhanced Fitness,
which improves the physical fitness of older adults
and people with arthritis.
It is proven to increase strength, boost activity levels,
and elevate mood.
There's a lot of fitness trends out there.
[ Chuckles ]
And they're not all necessarily based on sound research.
They're not all necessarily based
on what's best for a special population.
NARRATOR: With support from the CDC Arthritis Program,
11 states are now in the forefront
of taking Enhanced Fitness nationwide.
Most PRCs work with minority groups
whose health risks are greater.
Research covers high blood pressure in African-Americans,
diabetes in Latinos,
hearing loss in American Indians,
tobacco use by Asian-Americans, and other risks.
Several PRCs partner with residents of rural areas
or urban areas to find ways to promote physical activity,
immunizations, or healthy eating.
In New Orleans, where Hurricane Katrina devastated
already scarce supermarkets in many neighborhoods,
one PRC helped form the city's Food Policy Advisory Committee.
Thanks to the committee, a Fresh Food Retailers Initiative
is bringing fruits and vegetables, as well as jobs,
where they are needed.
Some PRCs research how technology can impact health.
For example, one PRC studied Internet sales
of cigarettes to minors.
The U.S. Senate cited the research
when it passed a bill to cut Internet sales
of low-cost smokeless tobacco and cigarettes.
Other PRCs focus on issues in populations
that may be overlooked -- obesity in the deaf community,
heart disease in people with mental illness,
or routine health screenings for public-housing residents.
Some centers concentrate on youth.
Topics include obesity, depression, or sexual health.
A "no" should be "no!"
NARRATOR: These students are learning to prevent teen pregnancy
by using "It's Your Game,"
one of the many proven health-promotion strategies
developed by the PRCs.
The program involves schools and parents
and creates an environment that supports middle schoolers
as they make decisions about sex.
Sometimes they follow in the footsteps
of their family members
by, you know, sister gets pregnant,
mom was pregnant at a young age, and I want them to know
that they don't have to follow those footsteps
and break the cycle of teenage pregnancy.
NARRATOR: Now "It's Your Game" is available to school districts
across the country.
"It's Your Game," Enhanced Fitness,
and other results of PRC research
would not exist or would go nowhere without partners.
The PRCs work closely with state and local health systems,
national health organizations, and federal programs.
These partners help communities use the PRCs'
cost-effective practical-health promotion strategies.
As these collaborations grow,
so does the impact of the Prevention Research Centers.
The PRCs and their partners --
creating healthier communities together.