In March 2026, the Prevention Research Center hosted a 3.5-day intensive, in-person Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) training course in St. Louis, Missouri. Designed to equip public health practitioners with the tools and skills needed to integrate evidence into their everyday work, the course brought together 25 participants from state and local health departments across six states, along with representatives from the NACDD.
The course includes ten comprehensive modules spanning foundational EBPH concepts, community health assessment, data analysis, intervention prioritization, and effective communication with policymakers. The curriculum blended structured instruction with interactive exercises, giving participants the opportunity to apply new skills in real time. This practical approach was central to the program’s design and supports participants in building their capacity as they take their learnings back to their organizations.
Participants came away from the training with meaningful gains across the board. By the end of the course, attendees reported stronger confidence in their ability to apply evidence-based practices in their work, a deeper understanding of key public health concepts, and a greater sense of readiness to put what they learned into action. Overall satisfaction with the training was high, with participants consistently rating the course content, faculty, and overall experience positively. The interactive format was especially well-received, with many noting that the practical application of skills was one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.
Participants also highlighted the quality and expertise of the faculty as a standout element of the training. The collaborative learning environment, combined with the depth and relevance of the curriculum, created a space where practitioners felt both challenged and supported in their professional growth.
The impact of this training reaches far beyond the individuals in the room. Each participant returned to their home organization equipped with a stronger evidence-based foundation, ready to apply new frameworks and approaches to the public health challenges facing their communities. By investing in the skills of public health practitioners, the EBPH course contributes to a workforce that is better prepared to make informed, data-driven decisions.
As practitioners bring these skills back to their teams and agencies, the culture of evidence-based practice strengthens at the local and state level, ultimately contributing to healthier communities and more effective public health programming. This EBPH training continues to serve as a model for how targeted, high-quality education can drive meaningful, lasting change in the field and will remain a core strategy for advancing public health impact.