Health promotion strategies and implementation

Health Promotion

The ten leading health indicators, as listed on the Healthy People 2010 website, "were selected on the basis of their ability to motivate action, the availability of data to measure progress, and their importance as public health issues." They include: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity; Tobacco Use; Substance Abuse; Responsible Sexual Behavior; Mental Health; Injury and Violence; Environmental Quality; Immunization; and Access to Health Care ("What Are the Leading Health Indicators?"). Almost all of the ten leading health indicators can be controlled by the individual. The first three listed: Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity, and Tobacco Use, especially remain in control of the average American and therefore, information on how to prevent disease and maintain health can be extremely helpful.

For example, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers strong and viable advice on physical activity as a means to promote optimal health. According to the CDC website, "Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States." Maintaining optimal physical activity is largely a matter of common sense. The range of physical activities recommended by the CDC includes non-strenuous as well as strenuous ones, depending on the needs and tastes of the individual. However, the advice contained on the CDC website stresses that strenuous activity is not necessary for the maintenance of health or the prevention of disease. In fact, for individuals who are not used to physical activity, less strenuous exercise might be a good starting point. The key to incorporating physical activity into one's daily lifestyle is not sheer exertion but rather, regularity. Daily exercise, whether in the form of walking to the store or jogging, goes a long way to promoting long-term health. People with disabilities should be especially cognizant of the need for physical exercise in the maintenance of their overall health, and the CDC emphasizes moderation and consistency over strenuousness. The information regarding physical activity on the CDC website is therefore simple, straightforward, and accessible to all people.

Overweight and obesity are often problems associated with lifestyle habits, habits that can be easily altered with a bit of conscious effort. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, in accordance with the Surgeon General's office, note that obesity and overweight are not issues of appearance, but rather, of health ("Overweight and Obesity: A Vision for the Future"). Among the specific recommendations by the Surgeon General include incorporating daily exercise into all public school programs. Lifestyle habits develop in early childhood and therefore, encouraging regular activity in children can go a long way toward promoting healthy lifestyle habits that reduce chances of overweight and obesity in the future. Providing healthy foods in public schools is also a key part of the government's responsibility in helping citizens achieve optimal health. However, at home, parents can monitor their children's intake of food, limit junk foods, and serve as role models for optimal eating habits. Simple common sense choices such as more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains require little effort and no extra money. The Surgeon General, like the CDC, offers common sense and reasonable guidelines for promoting optimal health.