Healthy People 2020 Regional Meeting: Call to Action
Summary report of the Regional Hearing held on May 14, 2008, New York, NY
On May 14, 2008, almost 300 registrants from throughout the Health and Human Services (HHS) Regions 1 and II participated in a public hearing on the Healthy People 2020. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the draft vision, mission, overarching goals, and framework proposed for the upcoming 2020 national health targets. Healthy People 2020 will be launched by January 2010, with six regional meetings scheduled throughout the United States during 2008, public input and comments solicited through 2009. Reportedly, it will be released in two phases: the framework (vision, mission, goals, focus areas, and criteria for selecting and prioritizing goals) and the final objectives (with criteria for selecting and prioritizing the objectives).
The Healthy People objectives totaled 226 in 1990 and have grown to 467 in 2010, with 1000 sub-objectives. The strengths are the collaboration underlying the process, the wide array of areas included, and the fact that the objectives are data-driven with measurable targets. Recommendations for the 2020 version include the following. First, objectives should be limited to no more than 150 and no more than 15 target areas. Second, the primary focus should be on risk factors and determinants of health, with secondary focus on diseases and disorders. It should also emphasize public health priorities adding a focus on health information technology (IT), preparedness; and primary care emphasis should continue. Finally, all objectives should be scientifically valid and sustainable.
The draft recommendations from the thirteen member advisory committee of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020 are available at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/fridayfacts/DraftCommitteeRecommendations.pdf
The vision statement for Healthy People 2020 is: A society in which [all] people can live long, healthy lives. One of the first public comments asked why the word all did not appear in the draft vision; participants were assured that this was an inadvertent omission and, in fact, was part of the draft vision. The HP2020 mission includes
- Increase public awareness and understanding of the underlying causes of health, disease and disability;
- Improve results by providing priorities, measurable goals and objectives, and guidance on effective strategies and tactics;
- Catalyze action using best available evidence to improve policy and practice;
- Identify research and measurement priorities for improving the evidence base.
The draft goals are limited to four:
1. Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and improve health of all groups;
2. Eliminate preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death;
3. Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all;
4. Promote healthy development and healthy behaviors across every stage of life.
Everyone was/is encouraged to submit written comments via the Internet at http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/comments/
Summary report submitted by Diana Cunningham, MLS, MPH, AHIP, Associate Dean and Director, Health Sciences Library, New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y. 10595 (Diana_cunningham@nymc.edu).
