Healthy People 2020: Goals, Objectives, and Health Disparities in the United States
Overview
This paper examines the Healthy People 2020 initiative and its goals to improve health and reduce health disparities in the United States. It analyzes the progress made toward key objectives including maternal, infant, and child health, while also comparing related health goals such as substance abuse and tobacco use reduction. The paper further discusses state and local health department commitments to achieving these public health objectives.
What this essay covers
- Overview of Healthy People 2020 goals and CDC approaches to measuring progress, with focus on maternal, infant, and child health outcomes
- Comparison of related health topics including substance abuse and tobacco use reduction, and identification of heart disease and stroke as essential health priorities
- State and local health department initiatives and commitments to achieving Healthy People 2020 objectives
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Healthy People 2020
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Healthy People 2020
Question 1
Healthy People 2020 (HP) entail goals and objectives in the U.S. to improve health and reduce health disparities. Despite the numerous challenges, it is evident that the mission and goals for Healthy People 2020 have been reasonable and have played a part in reducing health disparities in communities. This means that, although the goals have not been fully reached, there are indications that there are numerous health improvements in communities that can be attributed to the Healthy People 2020. Barile et al. (2012) assert that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has several approaches and measures it uses to measure the achievement of the Healthy People 2020 goals in various regions and communities. One of the Healthy People 2020 goals has been maternal, infant, and child health. The aim of this goal has been to improve health and reduce disparities among mothers, infants, and children. In regard, to achieve of this goal, major advances have been made in improving the health well-being of mothers, infants, and children despite the maternal, infant, and child health challenges that still exist in the U.S. According to in light of the failure (2012) article, the goals of Healthy People 2020 are not different to other goals in that some are achieved while others are not. In this regard, failing to achieve several goals of the Healthy People 2020 fully does not mean the whole initiative has been a failure (in light of the failure, 2012).