J. Michael McGinnis, MD
Scholar-in-Residence, National Academy of Sciences

• Purpose of the session is to consider whether a relatively small set of health indicators can be identified which will reflect progress towards the health goals for the Nation.
• Provided an overview of progress to date on leading health indicators.

Deborah Klein Walker, EdD
Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Health

• HHS should coordinate with other indicator development efforts so that data requirements are coordinated within the Federal government.
• Give consideration to existing sets of indicators, especially the Massachusetts Community Health Status Measures, CDC’s Consensus Health Status Indicators, and the Institute of Medicine’s Community Profile (published in Improving Health in the Community, 1987). Dr. Klein Walker suggests that these indicator sets could be used as a starting point and could be improved by adding indicators related to substance abuse and quality of life.
• Dr. Klein Walker encourages HHS to invest in data systems that will be needed to monitor the leading health indicators by state and local governments.

Mark Guarino, MPH
Director, Bergen County Department of Health Services (New Jersey)

• Encourages HHS to give consideration to the Institute of Medicine’s Community Profile (published in Improving Health in the Community, 1987). He has used this report to develop the Bergen County Action Guide and has found it to be helpful. He also suggests we look at health very broadly and consider input from people who work outside of health in criminal justice, education, housing, etc.
• The set of indicators should challenge every level of government, the private sector, and the public in general to become involved in health improvement activities.
• The data challenges involved in tracking the indicators provide opportunities for the public health community and its partners to work together.

Michelle Tropper, MPH
Director of Quality and Research Programs, Alliance of Community Health Plans (New Jersey)

• Also encourages HHS to give consideration to existing indicator sets, especially HEDIS. HEDIS and Healthy People share many common health topics, especially in the area of preventive therapies and screening services.
• Changes in the population, (i.e., the aging of America) should be reflected in the measures (i.e., vaccinations for the flu, chronic disease management).
• Access to mental health services and addiction services also should be reflected in the measures.

• There is a need for synergy among indicators (blend of outcome and risk) and between the various levels of government (Federal, State and local).
• The set of leading health indicators should be limited to 20 or fewer measures.
• The indicators should be relevant and trackable at the Federal, State and local levels.
• Data tracking capacity needs to be built in to the initiative.
• Federal agencies need to provide consistent and coordinated data collection requirements.
• Leading health indicators can be used to build partnerships.
• Research is needed to explore measurement of some indicators.
• Providing access to the indicators will be important.

Philadelphia Transcripts and Summaries