Evaluating Healthy People 2020: Reviewing Progress on the Nation's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives

This session explores the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ evaluation of progress on Healthy People 2020 objectives.  Healthy People 2020, the set of public health goals and objectives for the Nation, is produced by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Its Progress Reviews are chaired by the Assistant Secretary for Health.

This unique combination of public webinar and federal working session showcases the latest data on Healthy People 2020 objectives and federal strategies (presented by senior HHS and governmental officials). A non-federal community based organization that is improving outcomes in the community is also highlighted. A closed working session after the webinar allows for a conversation about data collection challenges and the collaboration needed to achieve targets.

Now in its fourth decade, Healthy People 2020 has grown from 15 to 42 topic areas with over 1200 science-based objectives. Each Progress Review is unique in that it features the work of two Healthy People 2020 topic areas. This approach is a move toward breaking down traditional silos in public health. It allows for broader conversations about partnerships in program implementation to achieve specific outcomes.

The Progress Review project can serve as a model for program evaluation. The lessons learned over more than three decades provide insight to anyone evaluating a health improvement plan, including state and local health officers, non-profit organizations, and community based organizations.