The Affordable Care Act called for the creation of the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council (National Prevention Council). Chaired by U.S. Surgeon General, VADM Regina Benjamin, the National Prevention Council consists of 17 Federal government executive leaders committed to promoting prevention and wellness. Under the leadership of VADM Benjamin, the National Prevention Council released the National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy June 16, 2011.

The new and historical Strategy, an inaugural national level approach to prevention, was presented in the Great Hall of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, DC, by VADM Benjamin joined by government and community leaders including:

• HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
• Assistant Secretary of Health Howard K. Koh
• Iowa Senator Tom Harkin
• Advisory Group Chairperson and Trust for America’s Health Executive Director Jeff Levi
• Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes
• Environmental Protection Administration Administrator Lisa Jackson
• Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy R. Gil Kerlikowskw
• Acting Chief Executive Officer Corporation for National and Community Service Robert Velasco

VADM Benjamin provided a comprehensive overview of the Strategy in her opening remarks. According to VADM Benjamin, the vision for the Strategy is to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by shifting the national focus from treating sickness and disease to one based on prevention and wellness. The Strategy will emphasize that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care but from stopping disease before it starts, and that good health also comes from clean air and water, safe highways, safe worksites, healthy foods, violence free environments, and healthy homes.

“As a primary care provider, I know the importance of prevention in a clinical setting. What is so exciting about the National Prevention Strategy is that it will support prevention at the doctor’s office and beyond,” said VADM Benjamin. “We are creating a healthy and fit nation, and that means transforming our communities so that prevention is woven into all aspects of our lives.”

In addition VADM Benjamin stated that the Strategy’s overarching goal is to increase the number of Americans who are healthier at every stage of life. VADM Benjamin focused on the importance of Americans not only living longer but also being healthier throughout their entire lifetime.

The Strategy identified four directions to help realize this vision and achieve its goals:

• Healthy and Safe Community Environments
• Clinical and Community Preventive Services
• Empowered People
• Elimination of Health Disparities

To elaborate on the directions, VADM Benjamin opened the floor for a question and answer session. Participants from the audience were given an opportunity to ask questions related to the Strategy. The final question accepted by VADM Benjamin focused on the challenges associated with the Strategy. In response, VADM Benjamin and panel members agreed that the challenges include changing the behaviors and thought process of Americans, maintaining the government focus on the strategy, and continuing to strengthen the collaboration among all agencies. In closing, VADM Benjamin encouraged all participants to become familiar with the National Prevention Strategy and all Americans to embrace the country’s new road map to a healthy and fit nation.

References

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National Prevention Council. (2011)National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness [Press Release] Retrieved on June 16, 2011, Department of Health Human Service, Great Hall, Washington, DC
National Prevention Council. (2011) National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General
Photo submitted by Health and Human Service Photographer Christopher Smith