Healthy People 2020: Analysis of U.S. Federal Health Objectives and Foundational Measures for Disease Prevention
Overview
This paper analyzes Healthy People 2020, a U.S. federal government initiative designed to prevent disease and build a healthier nation through four overarching health goals. The essay examines the four foundational health measures used to monitor progress: general health status, health-related quality of life, health determinants, and disparities, explaining how each foundation contributes to achieving national health objectives.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to Healthy People 2020 and its purpose as a national health initiative
- Explanation of four overarching goals with personal interpretation of their meanings
- Discussion of four foundations of health measures including specific metrics under each foundation
- Analysis of health status measures and quality of life measures with evaluation methods
Preview
Healthy People 2020
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Healthy People 2020
Healthy People 2020 is the U.S. federal government initiative tailored towards disease prevention to help build a healthier nation. It was developed as a statement of national health objective primarily designed to identify preventable threats to the population's health and the establishment of national goals intended to facilitate the reduction of these threats (USDHHS, 2020).
There are four overarching goals of Healthy People 2020. The first goal is to attain longer and high-quality lives free of injuries, premature deaths, disabilities, and preventable diseases. The second goal is to eliminate disparities, health equity, and improve the health of all groups. The third goal is to create physical and social environments that promote good quality of health for all. The fourth goal is to encourage healthy behaviors, promote quality of life, and facilitate healthy development across all life stages (USDHHS, 2020).
Personally, these four goals reflect different meanings. The first goal infers to the commitment to have healthy lives for the longest time possible. The second goal requires increasing the ability of citizens to access health care services affordably and without discrimination. The third goal pertains to providing facilities that will improve health practices. The fourth goal directs the population to take control of their health by embracing healthy lifestyles.
In monitoring progress towards realizing the goals of Healthy People 2020 to promote health, eliminate disparities, prevent disabilities and diseases, and improve health, four foundations of health measures are used.