National Prevention Strategy
The National Prevention Strategy, released June 16, 2011, aims to guide our nation in the most effective and achievable means for improving health and well-being. The Strategy prioritizes prevention by integrating recommendations and actions across multiple settings to improve health and save lives.
The 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 Americans.
The Vision
Working together to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by moving the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on prevention and wellness.
The Goal
Increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life.
The Strategic Directions
The Strategic Directions provide a strong foundation for all of our nation’s prevention efforts and include core recommendations necessary to build a prevention-based strategy. Each Strategic Direction can stand alone and can guide actions that will demonstrably improve health. Together, the Strategic Directions create the web needed to fully support Americans in leading longer and healthier lives.
The four Strategic Directions are:
- Healthy and Safe Community Environments
- Clinical and Community Preventive Services
- Empowered People
- Elimination of Health Disparities
The Priorities
Within the Strategy, the Priorities provide evidenced-based recommendations that are most likely to reduce the burden of the leading causes of preventable death and major illness. The Priorities are designed to improve health and wellness for the entire U.S. population, including those groups disproportionately affected by disease and injury.
The 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
National Prevention Strategy Resources
- Download the strategy in full: National Prevention Strategy (PDF – 4.66 MB)
- Read the Strategy section by section
- More National Prevention Strategy Resources
Contact Us: If you have questions about the National Prevention Council or need additional resources, please contact prevention.council@hhs.gov.
