Healthy People is a set of 10-year national health objectives for promoting health and preventing disease. Through this initiative, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with states, communities, and many organizations in the public and private sectors, has set goals to “bring better health to all people in this country” (AAP, n.d.).
Healthy people 2020, launched by Department of Health and Human Services in December 2010 is different from the earlier Healthy People programs for the better. It has been acclaimed and
hailed by almost everyone, including medical fraternity, NGOs and even the local people. Personally, I totally support and agree with the overall agendas and objectives of the program.
Healthy people 2020 is much more refined, articulated and mature as compared to other similar
programs in the past. The objectives and goals for healthy people 2020 were set by taking into considerations diverse and varied sources. ‘While past editions have taken public comment into account, for the first time outside experts, including Dr. Remington and several other physicians, have been selected Prevention Objectives for 2020’ (Elliott 2008). This has resulted in better, real and much more practical agendas. Though the list of objectives counts 1200, it has been clearly categorized in 42
categories quite unlike the previous plans which had confusing and cumbersome lists of
objectives and were often unachieved or incomplete.
Moreover the core agendas in the Healthy People 2020 have had drastic shifts and the new program lays more emphasis on eliminating risks and roots of diseases, which are paramount in ensuring that preventable diseases are completely eradicated. This, in my view, is a commendable shift from the basics and shows the thorough intent of Governments and Organizations in the formation of a healthier and better America.
Healthy people 2020 aims to achieve four very critical and vital goals which sets it apart and claims massive support, including mine. The four Goals state:
- Attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death;
- Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups;
- Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all; and
- Promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages (CDC 2009).
I totally agree with all the goals and am impressed with the vision and insight with which they have been framed for Healthy People 2020. All the agendas are extremely inclusive and aimed at each and every segment of the society. The program aims to achieve disparities and improve health services of people irrespective of their social or economic statuses. This in my view is a true sign of democracy and forms the soul of the plan.
One major agenda in the plan is over attention and extra emphasis on ensuring safe, pollution free and hygienic social and physical environment. I totally find myself in agreement of the agenda as safe and healthy environment is the need of the hour and can help in elimination of various diseases and could lead to drastic increase in quality of life and average life expectancy.
Healthy People 2020 has been framed to ensure that people from every quarter of life like kids, teens, adults, old enjoy the fruits of better health are benefitted. In my view all segments of a country have to be healthy for a it to realize itself as a truly Healthy nation. E.g. special attention has been paid to Obesity problem in kids and teens.
Every program that aims at providing good healthcare to the common man is in itself a symbol of dedication of the Government and should be welcomed. Healthy People 2020 sets very appropriate and forwarding looking goals, agendas and objectives and hence I agree with it totally and in full spirit.
References
AAP (n.d.). National Agenda: Healthy People 2020. In American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from
CCD (2009). Healthy People 2020. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from
Elliott Stagg Victoria (2008). Healthy People 2020: National agenda shifts to risks, roots of disease. In American Medical News. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from
