National Prevention Council issues action plan to implement the National Prevention Strategy

 Read the National Prevention Council Action Plan to learn about the three commitments the National Prevention Council has made to accelerate prevention, and 200+ actions Council departments are undertaking to implement the National Prevention Strategy.

On June 13, 2012 U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, chair of the National Prevention Council, released the National Prevention Council Action Plan: Implementing the National Prevention Strategy.

The National Prevention Council, called for by the Affordable Care Act, provides coordination and leadership at the federal level regarding prevention, wellness, and health promotion practices. The council consists of 17 federal departments and agencies and is chaired by Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. To learn more about the National Prevention Council visit: http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc/about/index.html.

What is the National Prevention Council Action Plan?

[PDF - 1.49MB]

The National Prevention Council Action Plan [PDF - 1.49MB] builds from the vision, goal, recommendations, and actions of the landmark National Prevention Strategy, which aims to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. The National Prevention Council Action Plan is the next step in the federal implementation of the National Prevention Strategy, which serves as a comprehensive plan to tackle such issues as obesity, tobacco use, health disparities and chronic disease. The National Prevention Council Action Plan identifies the National Prevention Council commitments, shared across all 17 departments, and unique department actions being taken to further each of the Strategic Directions and Priorities of the National Prevention Strategy. The National Prevention Council Action Plan complements prevention and wellness efforts already underway by the federal government, states, tribal and local governments, health care systems, businesses, communities, nonprofit organizations, and others.

National Prevention Council Commitments: Accelerating Prevention

The National Prevention Council Action Plan includes for the first time, commitments from all of the 17 federal departments and agencies on the council to:

• Increase tobacco free environments,
• Increase access to healthy, affordable foods, and
• Identify additional opportunities to consider prevention and health by their agencies.

Additionally, the action plan highlights more than 200 specific prevention and wellness actions that federal agencies are already taking or plan to take to implement the National Prevention Strategy.

"The National Prevention Strategy is a roadmap to health and wellness for the nation… to achieve the goal of increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life," said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin. "The National Prevention Council Action Plan shows the path the National Prevention Council is taking to get us there.

  The National Prevention Strategy

The National Prevention Strategy was released in June 2011 by the National Prevention Council. The overarching goal of The National Prevention Strategy is to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. The National Prevention Strategy prioritizes prevention by integrating recommendations and actions across multiple sectors to improve health and save lives. This Strategy envisions a prevention-oriented society where all sectors recognize the value of health for individuals, families, and society and work together to achieve better health for all Americans. To realize this vision and achieve this goal, the Strategy identifies four Strategic Directions and seven targeted Priorities. The Strategic Directions are:

• Healthy and Safe Community Environments: Create, sustain, and recognize communities that promote health and wellness through prevention.
• Clinical and Community Preventive Services: Ensure that prevention-focused health care and community prevention efforts are available, integrated, and mutually reinforcing.
• Empowered People: Support people in making healthy choices.
• Elimination of Health Disparities: Eliminate disparities, improving the quality of life for all Americans.

Within this framework, the Priorities provide evidence-based recommendations that are most likely to reduce the burden of the leading causes of preventable death and major illness. The National Prevention Strategy's seven Priorities are:

• Tobacco Free Living
• Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use
• Healthy Eating
• Active Living
• Injury and Violence Free Living
• Reproductive and Sexual Health
• Mental and Emotional Well-being

"Currently, chronic diseases and conditions account for at least 7 of every 10 deaths in our country, and many of these conditions are preventable," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a member of the National Prevention Council. "Our council's commitment to promoting health and preventing disease across each of our areas of responsibility is a commitment to helping Americans lead longer, healthier, and more productive lives."

Moving Forward

Continued effective implementation of The National Prevention Strategy will require ongoing leadership, focus on the Strategic Directions and Priorities, and engagement of both public and private partners. Just as The National Prevention Strategy has increased awareness of the value of prevention across multiple sectors, this action plan further supports a comprehensive federal approach to preventing sickness and disease by promoting health and wellness. Together, we can work to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities and move the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on prevention and wellness.

More Information

• To read more about the U.S. Surgeon General’s June 13, 2012 announcement, visit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/06/20120613a.html.
• Learn more about The National Prevention Strategy and the National Prevention Council can be found at http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc.

Visit the CDC Feature on the release of The National Prevention Strategy at: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PreventionStrategy/