Prevention Policy Group

The Prevention Policy Group (PPG) works in collaboration with partner organizations to advance health equity by advocating for policies and systemic changes that prioritize primary prevention of disease. Current PPG efforts focus on shaping food policy, securing sustained funding for community-based primary prevention and health equity initiatives, and regulating the emerging cannabis and hemp markets. Prevention Policy Group Projects 1. Medi-Cal Healthy Communities Initiative (MHCI) The MHCI initiative seeks to identify opportunities and generate support for investing in creating healthy community environments that further advance Medi-Cal’s new approach to reducing the health inequities that have long plagued our state and our nation. 2. Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund (HERJ Fund) The HERJ Fund sought to address structural racism and the associated deep-rooted social and health inequities as public health crises in California. Website: https://www.herjfund.org/ Twitter: @CA_HealthEquity 3. Getting it Right from the Start (GRFS) GRFS envisions a society where public policy related to cannabis and other substances protects health and advances equity in all its forms. We use scientific research to identify and advocate for cannabis policy that advances public health and equity, prioritizing groups vulnerable to harms such as youth. We engage and support partners in our work to ensure that government and industry actions align with these priorities. Website: https://www.gettingitrightfromthestart.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getting-it-right-from-the-start/ Twitter: https://x.com/GetItRightonMJ 4. Food and Healthy Diets Nutrition and diet are fundamental building blocks to good health. Since 2014 the Prevention Policy Group has combined research and evidence-based approaches to promote and evaluate food policies through the lens of health equity and social justice that prevent noncommunicable disease and advance healthy diets.