Highlights
of a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Healthy
People 2000 Review, 1994
For Release July
31, 1995
Healthy People 2000
Review, 1994, is the latest report on the Nation's progress in reaching --
by the year 2000 -- the more than 300 separate objectives designed to
prevent disease and promote good health in America.
The report by the
National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, shows considerable progress in many areas -- 8 percent of the
goals were met and progress made in another 41 percent. However, for 16
percent of the objectives there was movement away from the goal; for 7
percent, mixed results or no change; and for the rest, data are not yet
available to measure change. Most of the comparisons cover the time period
1987 (baseline) to 1993.
Data highlights
There
is a slight increase in the number of adults who exercise either
moderately or vigorously on a regular basis. The number of worksites
offering employer-sponsored physical activity and fitness programs has
increased substantially. Still, almost one in four American adults report
a sedentary lifestyle in the latest survey.
Smoking
continues to decline among adults. There has been an increase in the
number of States restricting or regulating smoking. On the rise for many
years, the death rate for lung cancer declined in 1991 for the first time
in at least 50 years and dropped again in 1992. Provisional data indicate
the decline could have continued in 1993.
Alcohol-related
motor vehicle crash death rates have declined markedly in the past few
years, and the year 2000 goal has been surpassed in part due to license
revocation laws passed in 37 States. Forty-eight States have passed
mandatory seatbelt laws and two out of three adults now use seatbelts.
Overall,
occupational mortality is down slightly, but work-related injuries have
increased. Cumulative trauma disorders -- a third of which were
attributable to carpal tunnel syndrome -- increased almost four-fold from
1987 to 1992. The rate of injuries related to repetitive trauma was
highest for meat product workers (1 in 10) where the rate more than
doubled between 1987 and 1992.
Suicide
is a leading cause of death among teenagers aged 15-19 years. The suicide
rate has remained stable over the past few years, but suicide attempts
among teenagers are up.
By
1993 just over 10 percent of homes in America were tested for radon, short
of the year 2000 objective of 40 percent but double the proportion in
1987. The proportion of people living in counties that meet standards for
such air pollutants as ozone, carbon monoxide, and lead has gone from
approximately 50 to 75 percent.
Recent
data indicate progress toward achievement of oral health objectives. The
prevalence of dental caries (cavities) among adolescents has declined.
Complete tooth loss is becoming less common in older adults. Dental visits
are up and so is the proportion of children who have protective sealants.
Heart
disease and stroke is a priority area in Healthy People 2000. Mortality
due to heart disease and stroke are down in the population as a whole as
well as among black people. However, mortality for both causes is higher
for black people and has declined more slowly, increasing the disparity.
A
number of risk factors for heart disease and stroke have shown improvement
-- decline in cholesterol levels, smoking and intake of dietary fat.
Americans are more likely to know and take action to control their blood
pressure levels. However, overweight has increased substantially. One in
three American adults is overweight, up from one in four. Overweight among
adolescents increased from 15 to 21 percent over the past decade.
The
1992 death rate for colorectal cancer equaled the year 2000 target. Breast
cancer death rates are down and substantial progress shows an increase in
the number of women receiving mammograms. The proportion of women aged 50
years and over who had received a clinical breast exam and a mammogram
within the preceding 1 to 2 years rose from 25 to 55 percent from 1986 to
1993, nearing the year 2000 target of 60 percent.
For more information
about this report, please contact NCHS, Public Affairs Office at (301) 458-4800
or via e-mail at: paoquery@cdc.gov.
Healthy People 2000 Review, 1994.
149 pp. (PHS) 95-1258-1 View/download PDF1.1
MB