A midcourse review of the nation's health agenda

In the fall of 1979, a group of experts were convened under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health Service to craft a national health strategy that would reduce preventable death and disease among Americans by 1990. Derived from this consensus-building activity were a set of measurable healthy objectives, guideposts for the nation to pursue in quest of better health for all (Preventing Disease/Promoting Health: Objectives for the Nation). A call to action subsequently was issued to all sectors and levels of society--including business and industry--to improve health status and reduce risks to health through preventive interventions and the adoption of positive health behaviors. This initiated a process, by which a national prevention agenda could be addressed.