Data Overview

The 467 Healthy People 2010 objectives are being tracked by 190 data sources, 23 of which are major data sources. A major data source is defined as a data system responsible for tracking five or more Healthy People 2010 objectives. 
To support the Healthy People 2010 goal of eliminating health disparities, a single national target that is applicable to all select populations has been set for each measurable, population-based objective. Three guiding principles were used in setting targets for the measurable, population-based objectives:

  • For objectives that address health services and protection (for example, access to prenatal care, health insurance coverage, etc.) the targets have been set so that there is an improvement for all racial/ethnic segments of the population (that is, the targets are set "better than the best" racial/ethnic subgroup shown for the objective). 
  • For objectives that can be influenced in the short term by policy decisions, lifestyle choices, and behaviors (for example, physical activity, diet, smoking, suicide, alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths, etc.), the target-setting method is also "better than the best" group. 
  • For objectives that are unlikely to achieve an equal health outcome in the next decade, regardless of the level of investment (for example, occupational exposure and resultant lung cancer), the target represents an improvement for a substantial proportion of the population and is regarded as a minimum acceptable level. Implicit in setting targets for these objectives is the recognition that population groups with baseline rates already better than the identified target should continue to improve.

Beyond this general guidance, the exact target levels were determined by the lead agency workgroups that developed the objectives. The workgroups used various methods for arriving at the target levels, including retention of the year 2000 target, computation of a statistical regression using current rates to project a target, knowledge of the programs currently in place and expected change, and expert judgment.

 


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