Understanding and improving health is part of the Healthy People 2030 initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Through 10-year national objectives, the Health and Human Services Healthy People initiative helps individuals, organizations, and communities committed to improving health and well- being address public health priorities.

Examples of HP2030 Leading Health Indicators that measure progress include:

• Reduce the rate of infant deaths
• Reduce the rate of children and adolescents with obesity
• Increase the rate of adolescents with depression who get treatment
• Reduce current tobacco use in adolescents and adults
• Reduce the number of diabetes cases diagnosed yearly
• Reduce maternal deaths
• Increase control of blood pressure in adults
• Increase physical activity in adults
• Increase screening for colorectal cancer in adults
• Additional indicators: https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/leading-health-indicators

How Does Healthy People 2030 Address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)?

One of Healthy People 2030’s 5 overarching goals is specifically related to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): “Create social, physical, and economic environments that promote attaining the full potential for health and well-being for all.”

In line with this goal, Healthy People 2030 features many objectives related to SDOH. These objectives highlight the importance of “upstream” factors — usually unrelated to health care delivery — in improving health and reducing health disparities. Examples of SDOH include:

• Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
• Racism, discrimination, and violence
• Education, job opportunities, and income
• Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
• Polluted air and water
• Language and literacy skills