Every American has the opportunity to construct the nation's health agenda for the 21st Century. Still in its developmental stages, Healthy People 2010 offers individuals the opportunity to help define the steps the United States will undertake to promote healthful behaviors and reduce risk factors. One goal is to make health-improving services accessible to all Americans.
The first set of national health objectives was published in 1979 in Healthy People: The Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Healthy People 2000, the second report, is the current national prevention initiative and will be repeated for 2010. It is the product of unprecedented collaboration among government, voluntary and professional organizations, businesses and individuals which aims to set goals of where the nation should be, healthwise, in the upcoming 10 years.
Overall development of Healthy People 2010 is guided by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services' Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2010. A second public comment period is scheduled for Fall 1998 and publication of Healthy People 2010 is slated for early 2000. Comments will be accepted at http://www.healthypeople.gov.
