04/07/2026
During National Public Health Week, we’re highlighting how prevention work is making a measurable impact in our region.
At Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Schools, Positive Community Norms (PCN) strategies have helped shift how students perceive peer behavior—and those changes are reflected in the data:
• Va**ng decreased from 24% to 7%
• Alcohol use decreased from 23% to 8%
• Ma*****na use decreased from 15% to 5%
This approach focuses on aligning perception with reality—helping students understand that most of their peers are already making healthy choices.
When accurate norms become visible, behavior often follows.
This is a strong example of how community-level prevention strategies can create meaningful change.
It’s National Public Health Week, and today we’re highlighting how public health work is making a difference right here in our community!
We asked our staff member, Jason McCoy MPH: “What impact are you most proud of in your work in public health?”
"At Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton schools, work using Positive Community Norms (PCN) has helped shift how students see what’s actually normal—and those changes are showing up in the data."
Between the years of 2021 and 2024:
• Va**ng rates dropped from 24% to 7%
• Alcohol use dropped from 23% to 8%
• Ma*****na use dropped from 15% to 5%
This approach focuses on helping students understand that most of their peers are already making healthy choices—and when that perception becomes clear, behavior often follows.
This is what prevention looks like in action! Interested in bringing education to your school or group? Contact us at 218-299-5220.
