Our Overdose Prevention Program is bringing a comprehensive approach to reduce overdose deaths in seven states: Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Campaigns That Shape Policy, Mobilize People and Improve Lives
Vital Strategies’ effective and innovative campaigns address the topics that shape global health—from food environments to harmful drug use and the role of corporate interests. Our goal: a society where good health is possible for all.
The “Support Harm Reduction Campaign” included mobile billboards driven around the Washington D.C. area.
Learn Our Approach to the Most Pressing Global Public Health Issues of Our Time
Tobacco, unhealthy diets, traffic crashes and overdose are among the leading causes of premature death around the world. Our gripping, evidence-based campaigns build public and policymaker support for lifesaving policies and improve population behaviors.
Focus Areas
Tobacco Control
Unless urgent action is taken to reverse this global epidemic, tobacco will kill as many as 1 billion people this century, making it the greatest single source of preventable death and disease.
Our Impact
Our work has led to comprehensive national tobacco legislation in Mexico, Russia, Senegal, Turkey and Ukraine, protecting over 400 million people.
Focus Areas
Food Policy
We’re experiencing a global nutrition transition where people increasingly consume unhealthy ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks. Healthier diets could prevent 11 million deaths each year and promote economic development.
Our Impact
Our partnerships have led to lifesaving changes such as front-of-package warning labels in Brazil, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages in Barbados, Mexico and South Africa, and on junk food and sugary drinks in Colombia.
Focus Areas
Road Safety
More than 90% of the world’s deaths on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries—even though they have less than half of the world’s vehicles.
Our Impact
From 2007 to 2018, Road Safety interventions have saved an estimated 312,000 lives on the roads in 15 countries and up to 30 cities.
Focus Areas
Overdose Prevention
The overdose crisis claims 100,000 lives each year in the United States, with rates climbing fastest in communities of color. We’re growing momentum for a health- and community-based response.
Our Impact
What Makes Our Public Health Campaigns Different?
We are committed public health thinkers, working in 80+ countries, with expertise that extends across a dozen issues. We rely on purpose-built tools and approaches that are driven by research, center health equity through community engagement and government partnerships, and accelerate positive health outcomes. Our history as collaborators for sustained change means we emphasize co-development with local communities and experts and take the road that emphasizes sustainable impact.
Equipping Communities with Strategies for Change
Building Government Partnership and Action
Creating Research-Driven Campaigns
Grounding All Work in Equity
Accelerating Health Policies
Community Voices
“It’s possible to achieve policy wins which protect the health of our people if civil society, researchers and other stakeholders rally together with tenacity and commitment.
Nzama Mbalati
Program Manager of Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA)
“We worked to de-normalize the taboo over talking about tobacco diseases.
Enrico Aditjondro
Vital Strategies’ Deputy Director For Southeast Asia
“If I had had some of this while I was using, I could have saved myself some injuries.
Jesse
Harm Reduction Specialist, Former User
Our goal is to promote policy change and improve population behaviors.
Leveraging the latest tools and evidence, we integrate policy advocacy, mass media, digital channels, news coverage and community mobilization to power lasting, lifesaving change.
Partner with us
We collaborate with governments, change makers, and leading researchers to move policy and people toward a healthier, more equitable society.