The federal government plans to help Americans live healthier lives not only by focusing on improving access to health care services, but also by reducing pollution, keeping children from abusing drugs, and serving nutritious school lunches. That’s according to the first-ever National Prevention Strategy, released June 16.
The new strategy was mandated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and with it federal officials have created a blueprint for themselves, as well as states, businesses, and community leaders to follow in building healthier communities. The 122-page document lays out seven priority areas based on evidence-based recommendations for improving health and prolonging life: tobacco-free living, preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use, healthy eating, active living, injury- and violence-free living, reproductive and sexual health, and mental and emotional well-being.
The strategy document sets a number of goals and 10-year targets for measuring progress. For example, as part of the effort to increase the use of preventive services in the health care system, the strategy calls on physicians to inform patients about the benefits of preventive services, adopt and use certified electronic health records and personal health records, and adopt medical home or team-based care models. One 10-year target is to increase the proportion of medical practices that use electronic health records from 25% to 27.5%.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the strategy was part of a "new focus on prevention" started by President Obama. The National Prevention Strategy will build off earlier efforts, some of which were included in the ACA, to curb tobacco use and give Americans free or low-cost access to preventive services such as mammograms.
"We know that prevention helps people live long and productive lives and can help combat rising health care costs," Ms. Sebelius said.
The work on prevention was praised by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, who has been a long-time advocate of moving the U.S. health care system away from a sick care system and toward a well care system.
The ACA created the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council (National Prevention Council), which developed the National Prevention Strategy, along with input from outside advisers. The council is made up of the heads of 17 federal agencies and is chaired by the U.S. Surgeon General. Along with the council, the ACA authorized the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which provides nearly $18 billion for public health programs. That fund is an important source of money for state and local governments looking to make improvements to their communities, Sen. Harkin said.
But the Prevention and Public Health Fund has been caught up in political fighting over the ACA. Earlier this year, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) sponsored legislation (H.R. 1217) to eliminate the fund, calling it an "Obamacare slush fund." In April, the House approved the legislation but the bill has not been taken up in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority.