How do the nation's health goals relate to individual, family, and community health? What can an individual do to address the goals and objectives...

Healthy People 2010 is an initiative started by the US Department of Health and Human Services.  The goals of the program include increasing the quality and years of healthy life and eliminating health disparities.  The project identifies several leading health indicators that individuals may control to address the goals and objectives of the Healthy People 2010 initiative.  These indicators include maintaining regular physical activity, avoiding obesity, eliminating tobacco use and substance abuse, engaging in responsible sexual behaviors, identifying and treating mental health issues, avoiding incidences of injury and violence, being aware of environmental quality issues, maintaining immunizations, and accessing healthcare services as needed.   In addition to personally adopting the above leading health indicators, individuals may encourage health professionals and public officials to focus on these health indicators when setting community policy and making investments in health improvements. 

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has now published the Healthy People 2020 initiative, which is based on the work of the Healthy People 2010 program along with three other health initiatives.