The initiative Since the surgeon general released the first Healthy People goals in 1979, they ve been updated each decade to reflect the changing health status of the United States. There s still a lot of work to do. Adult obesity has increased 50 percent in the past two decades, and 40 percent of today s adults don t exercise. Childhood asthma is on the rise, as are diabetes and other chronic diseases. Smoking among adolescents is increasing.
Mental disorders continue to go undiagnosed and untreated.
Violence and abusive behavior plague homes and communities across the country. National organizations also are targeting their efforts toward the HP2010 goals. Type 2 diabetes is increasing because Americans are becoming more obese, less active, and are aging. In addition, diabetes is more prevalent in expanding minority populations. On one hand, the nation has failed to meet 85 percent of the HP2000 goals established 10 years ago, especially those for smoking, obesity, and exercise.