How Will the Objectives Be Used?

Individuals, groups, and organizations are encouraged to integrate Healthy People 2010 into current programs, special events, publications, and meetings. Businesses can use the framework, for example, to guide worksite health promotion activities as well as community-based initiatives. Schools, colleges, and civic and faith-based organizations can undertake activities to further the health of all members of their community. Health care providers can encourage their patients to pursue healthier lifestyles and to participate in community-based programs. By selecting from among the national objectives, individuals and organizations can build an agenda for community health improvement and can monitor results over time. 

Healthy People objectives have been specified by Congress as the measure for assessing the progress of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, and the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Healthy People objectives also have been used in performance measurement activities. For example, the National Committee on Quality Assurance incorporated many Healthy People targets into its Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) 3.0, a set of standardized measures for health care purchasers and consumers to use in assessing performance of managed care organizations in the areas of immunizations, mammography screening, and other clinical preventive services.