About the UPenn PRC

The University of Pennsylvania Prevention Research Center (UPenn PRC) was established in the fall of 2014 with a five year grant, totaling $4,350,000, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It serves as a hub for interdisciplinary chronic disease prevention research, training, and dissemination at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.

From 2014-2019, the UPenn PRC was one of only 26 Prevention Research Centers in the nation and was the first in Philadelphia. In 2016 we were honored to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the Prevention Research Center program at the CDC.

The UPenn PRC continues to collaborate with partners, with the common goal to prevent chronic disease and reduce health disparities in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

The mission of the center is to strengthen public and private sector community partnerships. In addition to improving the  awareness of behavioral economics and public health strategies that can reduce health risks. Finally, to extend training, education, and communication opportunities in high-risk and underserved populations in the region

The UPenn PRC is directed by Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH, a George A. Weiss University Professor and professor of epidemiology and nursing. Dr. Glanz is joined by researchers and faculty members from the Perelman School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the Annenberg Public Policy Center, the Wharton School, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Most importantly, the center is dedicated to promoting well-being, health equity, research translation, and evaluation of population-based and sustainable community health and clinical interventions.