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Public Comment

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is soliciting written comments regarding new objectives proposed to be added to Healthy People 2020 since its launch in December 2010. Healthy People 2020 will provide opportunities for public input periodically throughout the decade to ensure that Healthy People 2020 reflects current public health priorities and public input.

Public participation helps shape Healthy People 2020, its framework, objectives, and targets. During the first phase of planning for Healthy People 2020, we asked for your comments on the vision, mission, and implementation. Those comments helped set the framework for Healthy People 2020. The public was also invited to submit comments on proposed Healthy People 2020 objectives, which helped shape the final set of objectives.

During this round of public comment, we would like your input on proposed new objectives to be added to the following Topic Areas: (1) Educational and Community-Based Programs and (2) Social Determinants of Health. These proposed objectives were developed by Topic Area workgroups, which are led by various agencies within the Federal government. They have been reviewed by a Federal Interagency Workgroup on Healthy People 2020 and are presented now for your review and comment.

You are also invited to suggest additional objectives for consideration that address critical public health issues within the existing 42 Healthy People 2020 Topic Areas. All proposed new objectives must meet all the objective selection criteria provided in a PDF below. Please review these criteria prior to reviewing and commenting on objectives.

Objective Selection Criteria [PDF - 95KB]

All comments received during the public comment period will be carefully reviewed by the Topic Area workgroups, Federal Interagency Workgroup on Healthy People 2020, and other Healthy People 2020 stakeholders. The updated set of Healthy People 2020 objectives will be incorporated on www.healthypeople.gov.

The public comment period will be open from October 15, 2012 through 5:00 pm ET on November 2, 2012.