Published May 2001

Our community has a role to play in national program

There’s a health initiative with national scope that community members should know about. It’s called Healthy People 2010.

Healthy People 2010 builds on health initiatives pursued over the past two decades by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is designed to achieve two primary goals: increase quality and years of healthy life and eliminate health disparities.

These two goals are supported by specific objectives in 28 focus areas, which include cancer, environmental health, heart disease and stroke, tobacco use, vision and hearing, family planning, physical activity, nutrition, occupational health and safety, substance abuse, injury and violence prevention, and maternal, infant and child health, among others.

The United States’ progress in achieving the two goals of Healthy People 2010 will be monitored through 467 objectives within the 28 focus areas. Many objectives focus on interventions designed to reduce or eliminate illness, disability and premature death among individuals and communities.

One example of why these objectives are important to the health of our country has to do with life expectancy. It may be a surprise to many, but the United States falls near the bottom of the scale in terms of life expectancy. At least 18 countries with populations of 1 million or more have life expectancies greater than the United States for both men and women. This suggests a substantial need and opportunity for improvement.

So why should Healthy People 2010 be of interest to all members of our community?

Because all employers and community groups, whether large or small, manufacturing or high tech, health care or public health, nonprofit or for-profit, all can play a role in shaping and helping to achieve the vast number and scope of objectives as part of Healthy People 2010.

If you have an interest in learning what role you can play in helping meet the Healthy 2010 Goals and Objectives, you can contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-367-4725 or visit the Healthy People 2010 Web site at www.health.gov/healthypeople/. As members of the community, we all can make a difference in the lives of others through proactive programs, services and support. It’s the commitment that each city, county and state makes to Healthy People 2010 that will produce the kind of positive outcomes that are essential for improved health and quality of life.

Ron Burt, M.Ed., is the Manager of Prevention Services at Providence Everett Medical Center. If you have a question that you’d like answered in this column, send it to Ron Burt, Prevention Services, Providence Everett Medical Center, P.O. Box 1147, Everett, WA 98206 or e-mail to rburt@providence.org.

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