Health objectives for the nation

National health objectives challenge the nation to improve the health of Americans through a coordinated and comprehensive emphasis on prevention. Substantial progress has been made toward achieving 1990 goals established with the 1979 Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, entitled Healthy People. Still the nation is falling short of its full potential. Development of the year 2000 objectives used the experiences of the previous decade to create an agenda for the future, and has been broader in its focus and scope of participation. Healthy People 2000 sets three broad goals: increase the span of healthy life for Americans, reduce health disparities among Americans, and achieve access to preventive services for all Americans. Achievement of these goals and the 300 specific objectives calls for individualized and collective action.