Healthy People 2020 Essay

Words: 562
Pages: 3

1. Discuss the Healthy People 2020 target objectives specific for emerging families, pregnant women, infants, and toddlers

Healthy People 2020 program is the current government initiative that represents “an ambitious yet achievable health promotion and disease prevention agenda for the nation” (Koh, Kumanyika, & fielding, 2011, p. 551). The program is cognizant of the social factors “that not only influence the health of populations but also limit the ability of many to achieve health equity” (Koh, et al., 2011, p. 551).
Healthy People 2020 have identified multiple topics that directly impact the health of the emerging families. Specific objectives were set to address the morbidity and mortality of infant and children, preconception and postpartum health and behaviors of women, infant care, and utilization of health services. The health of pregnant women remains one of the concerns of the U.S. government (Edelman, Kudzma, & Mandle, 2014). Thus, the overall goal of Healthy People 2020 is to improve the health and well being of women, infants, children, and the
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The objectives of the Maternal, Infant, and Child Health topic areas address a wide range of conditions, health behaviors, and health systems indicators that affect the health, wellness, and quality of life of women, children, and families (Healthy People 2020). One of the goals is to reduce infant mortality rate by promoting early and adequate utilization of prenatal care by pregnant women. At the same time, the program recognizes the social and physical factors that could adversely affect the growing family. Studies have shown the effect of smoking and alcohol to the unborn fetus. Of late, a new health risk is posed by the Zika virus that mostly affect the fetus to have small brains. Thus, women are advised to avoid travelling to places infected with the mosquito-carrier of the