Goals for reducing Americans' total fat and saturated fat consumption were moving toward their targets. On the downside, although the CHD death rate is nearing the target for year 2000, the rate for African Americans remains considerably higher than the rate for other groups. In fact, the coronary heart disease death rate and stroke death rate for African Americans are at least twice the rates for any other population group. Smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity have emerged as the most pressing threats to the cardiovascular health of Americans. The long-term national trend in smoking has been down, but progress has stalled.
Recent data show an increase in smoking among teens.
Little progress in physical activity was made during the past decade, and the HP 2000 goals for physical activity are not being attained. Inactivity, along with smoking and obesity, are especially problematic in many minority communities. Disparities in the use of medical technology must be addressed. Participants and panelists in the session agreed that a balanced approach is needed to translate research into practice. Essential activities include partnering in communities, tailoring educational efforts for special populations, providing incentives for healthy behaviors, and improving health care systems.