‘Healthy People 2010’ concerns a science-based national mandate to augment the health of Americans. The system has established credible health benchmarks and evaluated their progress within stipulated durations to ensure remarkable success. The project was initiated to improve individuals’ health quality and eradicate chronic health conditions through cooperation and research. The governmental agencies are responsible for coordinating the effort incorporate CDC, Administration on Aging, AHRQ, HRSA, NIH, Office of Minority Health, FDA, and Office of Population Affairs among others. The primary goals of this initiative (Healthy People 2010) incorporate encouraging collaborations across communities as well as other sectors, empowering individuals to help them make informed health decisions, and measuring the impact of prevention activities (HHSD, 2006).
One of the ten leading health indicators incorporates high levels of overweight and obesity in the United States. The condition contributes to the development of hypertension, heart diseases, and other chronic conditions. The activities within Healthy People 2010 designed to decrease the effect of this indicator on the health of Americans include daily physical exercises (Shield, Mullen & ADA, 2008). Additionally, the concerned victims should eat healthy foods and manage their eating habits. The government should enact education on the consequences of obesity as well as how to control it. In this regard, it is crucial to understand the provisions of good health.
The future directions of healthy people 2020 are evident and significant. The project is steered to establish a society in which everybody lives healthily and longer. It endeavors to identify countrywide health enhancement priorities. Similarly, the project is prospected to enhance public awareness/understanding of the determinants of health, disease, and disability. Precisely, it will enhance the quality of life, healthy growth, and sound behaviors within American society.
Reflectively, the Healthy People project is planning to improve the health conditions of all Americans (Lundy, & Janes, 2009). Besides, the project strives to curb public health challenges rampant within communities and healthcare institutions. It ensures absolute improvement in the health provisions. Nursing’s role in creating a healthier population is evident within the project. Nurses must establish and nurture a healthy community. In this regard, they should actively and competently serve their patients.
References
HHSD (Health and Human Services Dept). (2006). Healthy people 2010, midcourse review. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of HHSD.
Lundy, K. & Janes, S. (2009). Community health nursing: Caring for the public’s health. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Shield, J., Mullen, M. & ADA. (2008). Counseling overweight and obese children and teens: Health care reference and client education handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association.