Are Americans Healthier Since Last Decade?

10 years ago a government effort by the name Healthy People, set some health goals for the nation to reach by 2010. Since last decade the obesity rate has increased. About 41 percent of the 1990 measurable goals were achieved. For the 2000 goals, it was just 24 percent. As for the 2010 goals, data is still being collected, and a final report is not due out until 2011. But it looks like the results will be in the neighborhood of 20 percent, according to a preliminary analysis by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.

Experts are saying that The Healthy People effort could be better if it included more information about how to reach the goals, and how much it would cost, said David Holtgrave, a health policy expert at Johns Hopkins University.

The program lays out the goals, but looks to others - and the public - to find ways to achieve them. Healthy People does not provide funding to meet the goals, either."It's all carrot and no stick," said Dr. Richard Riegelman, founding dean of the George Washington University School of Public Health, who has been part of the Healthy People planning.

As a result, there pushing for Healthy People 2020 to be an online interaction that supplies advice to people for a healthier lifestyle

Healthy People: http://www.healthypeople.gov/

Fast food is investing more every year into promotions and at the same time making it cheaper and convenient to consume. The high consumption of fast foods are forcing organics, local farms and other healthier options to raise prices while centralizing there distributions. On the other hand the streets are flooded with the option of your "favorite fast food chain" within a mile radius in any given metropolis.

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