Using the vision of healthy people to build healthier communities

The national vision of Healthy People 2000 provides the specifics for the public health vision of healthy people in healthy communities. An understanding of the role of public health as system builder, and the use of objectives and vision to work toward outcomes of improved health facilitate nurses' contribution to the health of the communities in which they practice. The advanced practice nurse has this opportunity, even when primarily engaged in the provision of care to individuals, or to individuals and families.