Healthy People 2020: Developing national objectives for the next decade

As the end of first decade of the 21st century approaches, the US Department of health and Human Services has initiated the development of the next set of national disease prevention and health promotion objectives (Healthy People 2020). HHS has proposed a framework and process designed to ensure that the fourth generation of the Healthy People initiative continues to be scientifically valid, relevant and sustainable and fosters cooperation and commitment of both the public and private sectors. The proposed framework builds on the findings of an independent assessment on how best to achieve these aims and reflects input from a diverse group of public health professionals. During this session, senior officials from HHS will describe in detail the steps used to create the Healthy People 2020 process and framework, the key elements of the framework (guiding principles, organizational structure), criteria for developing objectives, and opportunities for participating in the development process. Representatives of stakeholder groups will identify ways in which states, communities and organizations can integrate the Healthy People 2020 framework into their own health planning activities.