Healthy People Partnership Stories

Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives guide the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) throughout the development and implementation of its State Health Improvement Plan. DHS embraces its mission to “protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin” and works toward a vision of “everyone living their best life.” Unlike other states with a standalone public health agency, DHS includes public health under its umbrella of programs and services. This brings with it both benefits and challenges.

ICYMI: The recording of the Healthy People 2030 webinar Planning for Individual and Community Health is now available. During this one-hour event, ODPHP presented on the webinar’s four featured objectives related to public health infrastructure and planning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics also shared the latest data for each objective, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials discussed addressing public health infrastructure at the state and local levels.

Last month I was honored to deliver the keynote address to the American Public Health Association 2023 Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia. I spoke about an important initiative that we are continuing to develop and the need to take the social determinants of health “to the next level.” To reach the broadest possible audience, I am sharing my remarks from that meeting.

Youth substance use is associated with increased risk for delinquency; academic underachievement; teen pregnancy; sexually transmitted infections; perpetration of, or experience with, violence; injuries; and mental health problems. Youth, parents, and families are key sectors involved in the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Preventing or delaying substance use initiation among youth reduces later risk for substance use, substance use disorders, and overdose.  The need for prevention is vital and early intervention is critical for youth.