Obama Administration Announces National Prevention Strategy - June 21, 2011

The National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council, which involves 17 federal agencies and outside experts, on June 16 announced the release of the National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy. The strategy, as required under the Affordable Care Act, is designed to shift the focus of health care to the promotion of disease prevention and wellness and away from reaction to sickness and disease. It sets forth four broad goals (referred to as strategic directions), which include: building healthy and safe community environments, expanding quality preventive services in clinical and community settings, encouraging healthy choices, and eliminating health disparities. To achieve these goals, the Strategy developed seven evidence-based priorities: tobacco-free living, active lifestyles, drug and alcohol use prevention, sexual health, healthy eating, and mental and emotional wellbeing. More information on the strategy is available online.