[National development of health targets in Germany--the health targets.de Forum]

Health targets.de is a co-operation between the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Association for Social Security Policy and Research (GVG) and is funded by the Ministry. Health targets.de unites numerous players in the field of health care and establishes a round table to put the development and implementation of some exemplary health targets to the test by the players themselves. The players are required to reach consensus about health targets and strategies and propose them collectively to health policy makers. Herewith, health targets.de aims to establish this "health targets" tool in order to supplement existing instruments of German health policy. Furthermore, its aim is to strengthen the idea of target setting at all levels of the health care system. Health targets.de was started in December 2001 and will present results at the beginning of 2003. Interim results are made accessible on the Internet. Since December 2001 health targets.de has so far been developing five specific health targets concerning diabetes; breast cancer; reduction in tobacco consumption; nutrition, physical activities and stress reduction in children and adolescents; and the improvement of the patients' and citizens' competence in health-related issues. Further topics will be dealt with later. For additional information see www.health targets.de.