Population Health
Why Population Health?
The nation’s poor health is robbing Americans of longer lives, and needlessly driving up healthcare costs. Inconsistent preventive services and poor lifestyle behavior choices have led to a shocking decline in our national health, threatening not only lives, but America’s economic prosperity. For the first time ever, the current generation of American children are not likely to live as long or be as healthy as their parents.
As a National Priority, the implications for improved Population Health are profound. A stronger, more productive population with a greater awareness of personal health and smarter lifestyle choices will drastically reduce chronic disease and allow for a more efficient and affordable healthcare system.
The public health and healthcare delivery systems must work together to strengthen preventive services for all Americans, while ensuring that all patients receive necessary and appropriate care, and by providing support and resources that promote good health.
Share your population health stories, or learn more about this Priority.
---------------------------------
In February 2010 the Population Health Workgroup held a meeting to consider the current state of population health. They developed recommendations for the NPP Partners and other stakeholder groups that:
- Identify key drivers of change and actionable interventions that if implemented would overcome the primary barriers to progressing toward our desired state;
- Inform measure development, considering gaps in performance measurement, as well as issues related to composite measures and community indices; and
- Address key considerations and implications for HIT.
The Population Health Convening Meeting Synthesis Report provides additional details about the meeting as well as recommendations for action.
Working Together for a Healthier America
The Partners are working to ensure that:
- All Americans will receive the most effective preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- All Americans will adopt the most important healthy lifestyle behaviors known to promote health.
- The health of American communities will be improved according to a national index of health.
Supporting Resources