Improving lives through science and discovery
The Prevention Science Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute.
We focus on understanding human development, preventing behavioral health problems, and implementing effective interventions in community settings.
Our annual report highlights ongoing research projects and training activities.
The ACCESS Center
The ACCESS Center is a national resource for school-based mental health research, dedicated to improving the mental health of youth, families, and school communities. We bridge research and practice through a multi-tiered focus on school systems, family engagement, and individual well-being.
News
January 29, 2026
HEDCO Institute researchers brief the Alaska Senate Education Committee
HEDCO Institute researchers Elizabeth Day and Sean Grant had the opportunity to brief the Alaska Senate Education Committee on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, sharing key findings from recent meta-analysis on four-day school weeks. As school districts across Alaska explore whether to shift to a four-day schedule, many are looking to ground their decisions in rigorous, reliable evidence.
January 7, 2026
Weight stigma hits hard in a diet-focused culture, UO experts say
Nicole Giuliani, PhD, and Nichole Kelly, PhD sat down with OregonNews for a conversation about what we miss by focusing too much on weight and how we can reframe dieting or weight goals to support a more holistic view of both mental and physical health.
December 23, 2025
What is comprehensive school suicide prevention?
As suicide rates for youth and young adults have increased over the past two decades, K-12 school systems have become an increasingly essential setting for providing comprehensive suicide prevention to youth. Read the HEDCO Institute article by John Seeley, PhD, COE's Associate Dean for Research, and Jonathan Rochelle, PhD, Research Associate, Suicide Prevention Lab, University of Oregon.
December 4, 2025
Addressing food insecurity in rural Oregon
As the recent federal government shutdown and its effects on SNAP benefits illustrated, food insecurity affects millions of Americans. A $7 million, seven-year grant awarded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will allow principal investigators Leslie Leve, Dave DeGarmo, and Liz Budd, along with co-investigators Anne Marie Mauricio and Stephanie De Anda, to work with families in 24 school districts.