The NHLBI has developed an asthma agenda as part of its efforts to meet the goals and objectives of the Federal Government's Healthy People 2010 report. Issued in January 2000, Healthy People 2010 is the Federal Government's blueprint for building a healthier Nation over the next 10 years.

NHLBI's asthma agenda centers on four key "Performance Goals," which are shown in the diagram below. Each goal targets a different stage in the prevention and treatment of asthma. To meet the goals, the NHLBI is undertaking a range of "Performance Projects," each geared to measurable results in order to assess progress.

A key element of the Performance Projects is reaching into communities to forge partnerships for health, especially for areas at high-risk for asthma. The Performance Projects also try to bring vital information and resources where they are most needed.