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Our mission is to bridge research, practice and policy to improve community health and achieve equity.

The Prevention Research Center in St. Louis (PRC-StL) explores behaviors that place people at risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, cancer and diabetes. Center researchers conduct and share research on physical activity, policy, the built environment, and the translation of evidence into public health practice, while placing particular emphasis on vulnerable populations.

Staff Spotlight: Ronni Byrth

When her daughter Kyrah was a toddler, Ronni Byrth discovered Parents as Teachers (PAT), a home visitation program that provides parents with child development knowledge, parenting support, and social support for families with children from birth until age 5. She liked the program so much she went to work for PAT for 14 years. Now, Ronni has come full circle as a program manager in several PRC-affiliated research studies that collaborate with PAT in which she trains educators to help parents create a home environment that promotes nutrition, activity, and healthy weight.

Celebrating Tim Poor’s Retirement

By PRCSTLAugust 1, 2024

Tim Poor is retiring after working at WashU for the last 15 years. Tim has been a fantastic part of the communications team at the PRC and has written stories on our center faculty and staff, as well as many of our projects. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Tim for all […]

Ross Brownson, PRC Director, Honored with Outstanding Faculty Award (Links to an external site)

May 9, 2024

For Ross Brownson, one of the joys of working at Washington University is teaching and mentoring graduate students. On April 10, Brownson, the Steven H. and Susan U. Lipstein Distinguished Professor at the Brown School, was honored with an Outstanding Faculty Award at the 25th Annual Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony, hosted by the Graduate Student Senate (GSS). He was one of eight faculty members commended for their remarkable contributions to the PhD student community. Brownson expressed gratitude for the recognition. “Our students are the best and the brightest who constantly remind me that our future is in good hands,” he remarked.