Stories from the Field

Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol

Underage alcohol use (also known as underage drinking) is a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young people abuse alcohol more than any other drug—and more than 4,300 young people die from alcohol-related causes each year.1

Children’s HealthWatch

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Children’s HealthWatch researched and analyzed issues related to housing and children’s health.


High school graduation is an important predictor for overall health outcomes. High school graduates have less chance of being in prison, greater financial stability as adults, and fewer health problems.1

First Things First (FTF) - Kansas City, Kansas School District

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Kansas City, Kansas School District implemented a comprehensive school reform initiative, First Things First (FTF), to combat low graduation rates and to improve academic performance.

Sources of Strength



If you ask Mark LoMurray what he likes most about his job, he doesn’t have to think about it much. “Watching young people find their voice,” he says, “sometimes in as little as 3 or 4 hours. We often have kids who can barely say their name at the beginning of an activity, and by the end they’re standing up presenting ideas that they’re proud of. It’s just really amazing to watch that happen.”