SE2

The Positive Community Norms approach seems counterintuitive as a strategy in an era where media and politicians focus unrelentingly on the negative (the house that's on fire). But the evidence demonstrates it's highly effective. That's why we created this 101 primer for those of us who aren't behavior change scientists.

It is inspired by the great work of experts in this field, like Nathaniel Riggs of Colorado State University's Prevention Research Center, Dr. David Higgins of the University of Colorado, the pioneers at The Montana Institute, Rise Above Colorado and Kent MacLennan, Lora Peppard, director of ADAPT, the prevention arm of the national HIDTA network, and Alicia Stromme Tobin at Safe Yakima Valley. We're grateful for their leadership.

Patty Ferssizidis, PhD of ADAPT reminds us that Positive Community Norms is one strategy within a larger set of prevention strategies. Positive Community Norms can be paired with other strategies that address other risk and protective factors, she notes. Anyone interested in a deeper dive is encouraged to explore the ADAPT online resources and, if possible, attend one of the ADAPT trainings.

Positive Community Norms 101: How Telling the Truth Can Change Behavior - SE2 (https://na2.hubs.ly/H06yNSV0)

Positive Community Norms 101: How Telling the Truth Can Change Behavior - SE2 We're influenced by what we think everyone else is doing. Positive Community Norms helps communities see the truth—and change behavior.

Reports out of Washington say that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been instructed to downplay his vaccine skepticism in advance of the midterm elections. While he continues behind-the-scenes machinations to undermine vaccines, this means fewer headlines.

But even if there are fewer incoming threats, Kennedy has succeeded in sowing doubt about vaccines among the public, as reflected in survey research. SE2 Principals Susan Morrisey and Eric Anderson write about how public health leaders can respond.

Public Health Is Losing the Vaccine Narrative. Here’s How to Take It Back. - SE2 Public health pulled back. Misinformation didn’t. Here’s why vaccine advocates must reclaim the narrative before it hardens.

We teamed up with Safe Yakima to bring a fresh twist to youth substance use prevention—because sometimes the best way to shift norms… is with a little paws-itivity. 🐶🐻🐰

From claw-some creative to otterly fun messaging, this campaign uses animal puns to spotlight the truth: most teens are making healthy choices.

When you make the positive the norm, the message sticks... and works. Evaluation of the campaign showed that 54 of the 60 measured attitudinal and behavior change metrics moved in the desired direction—with 70% of those metrics showing statistically significant change.