Healthy People in Action

Legal and policy approaches can be important tools for achieving healthier communities. The report, The Role of Law and Policy in Achieving the Healthy People 2020 Nutrition and Weight Status Goals of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake in the United States, provides evidence-based information and identifies priority areas that can help communities achieve Healthy People objectives.

Access to health care is a key determinant of physical and behavioral health outcomes. Regular access to primary health services is critical for preventing and detecting diseases, ensuring comprehensive treatment, and improving overall quality of life. The Partnership for Successful Living (PSL) in Nashua, New Hampshire takes an integrated approach to health care. Its goal? To provide comprehensive care that’s easy for vulnerable populations to access, with services ranging from primary care, behavioral health, and oral health to housing support and treatment for substance use disorder.

Teen substance use can harm brain development and increase the risk of addiction later in life. Nationally, over 14% of U.S. teens use alcohol or drugs. In Washington State, the 2016 Healthy Youth Survey found that 20% of 10th grade students drink alcohol and 17% use marijuana—and these students report lower grades in school than students who don’t use those substances.

Tooth decay (also known as caries or cavities) is one of the most common chronic health conditions affecting children in the United States. American Indian and Alaska Native children have especially high rates of tooth decay; the rate for American Indian and Alaska Native children ages 3 to 5 is 43%—more than 4 times the rate for white children.