Focus Area
Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs & Mental Health
With more than 1,000 peer-reviewed studies, PHI’s highly regarded epidemiological research on substance abuse identifies gaps in knowledge and builds the evidence base for what works, both domestically and internationally.
PHI examines the role of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status in drinking and drug use and evaluates treatment readiness and access. PHI works on tobacco addiction and policy approaches to reducing its spread. PHI also focuses on substance abuse-related concerns such as physical injury, violence and mental health problems and on improving interventions in primary care and treatment settings. Programs test new approaches, build capacity, provide technical assistance and train the next generation of investigators.
Supported by a diverse group of funders, PHI offers technical expertise on a broad range of substance abuse and mental health issues.
Download PHI's Work in Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs & Mental Health: Examples of Impact.
Programs
Alcohol Research Group
Established in 1959, the Alcohol Research Group (ARG), now of the Public Health Institute, conducts and disseminates high-quality research on the epidemiology of alcohol consumption and problems, alcohol health services research, and alcohol policies while also training future generations of alcohol researchers. ARG is also home to the National Alcohol Research Center.
Berkeley Media Studies Group
Berkeley Media Studies Group works with community groups, journalists and public health professionals to use the power of the media to advance healthy public policy. To do this, BMSG conducts research to understand how news, entertainment and advertising portray health and social issues. Through media advocacy training and consultation, BMSG helps advocates harness lessons from that research and develop the skills they need to become stronger voices in policy debate and illuminate the need for improving the places where all people live, learn, work and play.
CA4Health
CA4Health is a 5-year Community Transformation Grant from the CDC focused on reducing the burden of chronic disease in rural communities throughout California. A collaboration between PHI and the California Department of Public Health, CA4Health provides local county partners with tools, training and guidance to make their communities healthier. CA4Health’s 4 strategic directions are reducing consumption of sugary beverages, increasing availability of smoke-free housing, creating safe routes to schools, and providing people with chronic disease with skills and resources to manage their illness.
California Adolescent Health Collaborative
The California Adolescent Health Collaborative (CAHC) is a public-private statewide coalition with the goal of increasing understanding and support for adolescent health and wellness in California. As a coalition of representatives from public and private agencies, CAHC is committed to a comprehensive, assets-based, multidisciplinary approach to improving the health and well-being of California youth.
Learn about California Adolescent Health Collaborative projects
California Health Interview Survey
The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the nation's largest state health survey, is a collaboration of PHI, the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Health Care Services and the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research. CHIS data are a critical tool in developing programs and policies to fight health threats such as obesity.
Center for International Tobacco Control
In Asia, the two largest consumers of tobacco are China and Indonesia, together representing 412 million smokers. The Center for International Tobacco Control (CITC) was established in 2006 to conduct research studies and programs to address the tobacco problem in these two countries. CITC promotes effective tobacco tax policy and tobacco policy alternatives; works on tobacco farming issues and crop substitution; promotes public education around tobacco; promotes smoke-free environments; and trains local tobacco control researchers.
Learn about Center for International Tobacco Control projects
Child Health and Development Studies
Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS) investigates how health and disease are passed on between generations--not only genetically, but also through social, personal and environmental surroundings. Nearly 50 years ago, CHDS enrolled over 15,000 families during the mothers' early pregnancy. Families participated in comprehensive interviews about their health, lifestyle and experiences. Follow-up studies CHDS children, now adults, and on their children, enable CHDS scientists to study health across generations and seek ways to prevent disease early in life.
Health Spectrum Program
Using a multi-dimensional emphasis that encompasses geographical, age, gender, socio-economic status, and race and ethnicity categories, the Health Spectrum Program provides issue and policy analysis and reporting; project/program and policy evaluation; training; technical assistance for statewide disease prevention and other health initiatives; and capacity building. The Health Spectrum Program focuses on children's health; health disparities; chronic disease prevention; wellness for leaders and decision-makers; and tobacco-free hospital campuses and patient treatment policies.
National Alcohol Research Center
The National Alcohol Research Center, housed within PHI's Alcohol Research Group, is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The Center's research focuses on the epidemiology of alcohol problems. The Center, now in its 32nd year, is funded through 2015. Tom Greenfield, PhD, is scientific director, providing scientific oversight while working with associate directors Lee Ann Kaskutas, DrPH, and Cheryl Cherpitel, DrPH, to assure coherence and scientific vision.
Public Health Trust
The Public Health Trust (PHT) works with private attorneys, government agencies and public health organizations interested in using litigation settlement funds to improve public health. PHT manages settlement funds with a focus on transparency and accountability. PHT grantees address a wide range of public health issues from marketing of food, tobacco products, exposure to toxic substances, medication access, and air and water quality.