Healthy People 2020

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched Healthy People 2020 in December 2010, announcing the new 10-year goals and objectives for health promotion and disease prevention. Healthy People is designed to improve the quality of the nation’s health and provide a framework for public health prevention priorities and actions. A newly redesigned website ( http://www.healthypeople.gov ) allows users to tailor information to individual or community needs and to explore evidence-based resources. A major principle states that national objectives and monitoring progress are critical factors in motivating action. An extensive feedback process was initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services to develop comprehensive objectives; previous topic areas were carried forward, and new areas were identified. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park stated, “This milestone in disease prevention and health promotion creates an opportunity to leverage information technology to make Healthy People come alive for all Americans in their communities and workplaces” (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Healthy People 2020 includes initiatives to hearing and communication disorders which are considered important to the overall well being of the population.