Healthy People 2020

Healthy People 2020 is a 10-year national objectives plan launched by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to improve the health of Americans through the prevention of disease and promotion of healthy behaviors, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and other World Health Organization partners. The initiative builds upon the successes of its predecessors, Healthy People 2010 and Healthy People 2000, and is guided by the principles of health equity and social determinants of health as outlined by the World Health Organization and the American Public Health Association. The plan is also informed by the research of prominent health experts, including David Satcher, Joycelyn Elders, and C. Everett Koop, and is aligned with the goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the National Prevention Strategy developed by the National Prevention Council.

Introduction

The Healthy People 2020 initiative is a comprehensive plan that aims to promote healthy behaviors, prevent disease, and improve the overall health and well-being of Americans, with a focus on achieving health equity and reducing health disparities as emphasized by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Office of Minority Health. The plan is based on the latest scientific research and evidence-based practices, and is informed by the work of leading health organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and American Lung Association. The initiative also draws on the expertise of renowned health professionals, such as Anthony Fauci, Francis Collins, and Margaret Hamburg, and is aligned with the goals of the Global Health Security Agenda and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Background and Development

The development of Healthy People 2020 was a collaborative effort involving the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and other federal agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, such as the American Public Health Association and the National Association of County Health Officials. The plan was informed by a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, including research published in leading journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine, and was guided by the principles of health promotion and disease prevention as outlined by the World Health Organization and the National Academy of Medicine. The initiative also built on the successes of previous Healthy People initiatives, including Healthy People 2010 and Healthy People 2000, which were launched by United States Department of Health and Human Services secretaries Donna Shalala and Louis Sullivan.

Objectives and Goals

The Healthy People 2020 initiative has four overarching goals: to attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death; to achieve health equity, eliminate health disparities, and improve health of all groups; to promote quality of life, healthy behaviors, and health literacy; and to create social and physical environments that promote good health for all, as emphasized by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency. The plan includes 42 topic areas, such as access to health care, adolescent health, blood disorders and blood safety, and cancer, and is aligned with the goals of the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Mental Health. Each topic area has specific objectives and targets, which are based on the latest scientific research and evidence-based practices, and are informed by the work of leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.

Priority Areas

The Healthy People 2020 initiative has identified several priority areas, including access to health care, health disparities, health literacy, and social determinants of health, which are critical to achieving the plan's overarching goals, as emphasized by the National Institute on Aging and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The plan also prioritizes the prevention of leading causes of death and disability, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, and is aligned with the goals of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The initiative also focuses on promoting healthy behaviors, such as physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco cessation, and is informed by the research of prominent health experts, including David Katz, Walter Willett, and Steven Blair.

Implementation and Progress

The implementation of Healthy People 2020 is a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations and private sector partners, including the American Red Cross and the March of Dimes. The plan is being implemented through a variety of strategies, including health education and health promotion programs, policy changes, and community-based initiatives, and is aligned with the goals of the National Association of Community Health Centers and the National Rural Health Association. Progress towards the plan's objectives is being tracked and monitored through a data tracking system, which includes data from sources such as the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is informed by the research of leading health experts, including Thomas Frieden, Margaret Chan, and Gro Harlem Brundtland. The initiative is also being evaluated through a comprehensive evaluation plan, which includes process evaluation, outcome evaluation, and impact evaluation, and is aligned with the goals of the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Category:Public health initiatives