Guide to Community Preventive Services: harnessing the science.

This article presents reactions in the development of the Guide to Community Preventive Services, which brings public health to the same level of scientific scrutiny with evidence-based recommendations for community prevention services. The first reaction found this development a good change that should be supported, encouraged, and continued. It would help health providers know which practices are based on some level of evidence and which practices warrant more study. The second reaction welcomed the development as a step in the institutionalization of public health, subsequently developing public health systems, standardizing the training of public health workers, and incorporating epidemiology in public health practice. In addition, it is noted that the Guide aggregates the experiences of those who have tried and documented preventive practices. In the third reaction, it is viewed that the Guide would point the way to those activities for which additional attention and study is needed. The fourth reaction indicated that the guidelines would further improve collective knowledge. Finally, the fifth reaction stated that this publication would provide local health departments with an abundance of clear and factual information to plan activities, and educate the community.