8.2 For the total population
aged 18-24 years, the rate of high school completion was 86 percent in 1997, the same
as the 1992 baseline. For blacks aged 18-24 years, the rate was 82 percent in 1997,
also the same as the 1992 baseline. The high school completion rate among
Hispanics aged 18-24 years increased from 62 percent in 1992 to 67 percent in 1997, moving
toward the year 2000 target of 90 percent for this objective.
8.3 The percentage of eligible
children aged 4 enrolled in Head Start decreased from 47 percent in 1990 to 40 percent in
1997, moving away from the year 2000 target of 100 percent. The proportion of 5-year-old
low-income children receiving one year of Head Start services prior to
entering first grade decreased from 58 percent in 1992 to 49 percent in 1996. The proportion
of disabled children aged 3-5 years enrolled in pre-school increased from 56 percent
in 1991 to 63 percent in 1995.
8.4 The year 2000 target for
this objective is to increase to at least 75 percent the proportion of elementary and
secondary schools that provide eight specific elements constituting a
comprehensive school health education. As of 1994, three out of four schools
provided at least one required health class, and two-thirds of the schools had
evaluated their health education program during the preceding two years.
However, only 53 percent had teachers adequately trained in health education and less
than a third reported involvement of parents, health officials, and other
concerned members of the community. Only 2 percent of schools met all eight of the
criteria.
8.5 Data from 1995 indicate
that a majority of college students aged 18-24 received information at some
time during their college career on preventing alcohol and other drug abuse
(59 percent), STDs (53 percent) and HIV/AIDS (58 percent). The proportion of students who received
information about other health topics was as follows: tobacco, 32 percent; violence
prevention, 38 percent; injury prevention and safety, 26 percent; suicide prevention, 21 percent;
pregnancy prevention, 34 percent; dietary behaviors and nutrition, 34 percent; and physical
activity and fitness, 40 percent. The year 2000 target is 50 percent.
8.6 The proportion of
work-sites with 50 or more employees that offer health promotion programs
increased from 65 percent in 1985 to 90 percent in 1997, surpassing the year 2000 target of
85 percent.
8.8 Preliminary data from 1998
indicate that 12 percent of people aged 65 and over participated in health promotion
programs, the same proportion as in 1995. The year 2000 target is 90 percent.
8.9 In 1994, the proportion of
people aged 10 and older who discussed health issues with family members at
least once during the preceding month was 83 percent, exceeding the year 2000 target
of 75 percent. The percentages of those who discussed specific health topics were as
follows: nutrition, 67 percent; physical activity, 66 percent; sexual behavior, 39 percent; tobacco,
47 percent; alcohol, 38 percent; illegal drugs, 33 percent; and safety, 50 percent.
8.11 This objective aims to
increase to at least 50 percent the proportion of counties with community health
promotion programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for
racial and ethnic minority populations in those jurisdictions. In 1996-97, the
proportion of counties with significant minority populations that provided such
health promotion/disease prevention services ranged from 13 percent for occupational
safety and health to 48 percent for immunization and infectious diseases.
8.12 In 1990, 86 percent of registered
hospitals offered community health promotion programs or patient education
programs addressing the health needs of their communities, an increase from 68 percent
in 1987. Among community hospitals, 77 percent provided patient education or health
promotion programs in 1990, an increase from 60 percent in 1987. The proportion of
health maintenance organizations offering health education increased from 75 percent
in 1990 to 84 percent in 1992, while the proportion offering nutrition counseling
increased from 85 percent to 87 percent during the same period. The year 2000 target is 90 percent.
8.14 This objective aims to
increase to at least 90 percent the proportion of people who are served by local
health departments that are effectively carrying out the core functions of
public health. A 1992-93 survey by the National Association of City and County
Officials showed that 84 percent of local health departments in 43 States provided
health education; 96 percent, immunizations; 64 percent, prenatal care; and 30 percent, primary
care.
Administration on Aging
American Journal of Health Promotion
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Education
Health Resources and Services Administration
Kaiser Permanente Foundation
Maine Bureau of Family and Community Health
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
National Association of State Boards of Education
National Institutes of Health
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office of Public Health and Science
Office on Women’s Health
Pan American Health Organization
Society for Public Health Education
University of Kansas
University of Virginia
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General