# Progress towards Healthy People 2030 population health goals

## TL;DR

The study evaluates progress toward US health goals and finds that many areas are worsening or stagnant, highlighting the need for policy changes.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward all 23 Healthy People 2030 leading health indicators using national data.

## Key findings

- Five of 23 health indicators showed little to no detectable change.
- Drug-overdose deaths and food insecurity have worsened significantly.
- Improvements were noted in adolescent depression treatment and hypertension control.

## Abstract

We aimed to quantify progress towards all 23 Healthy People 2030 leading health indicators (LHIs) national set targets. Understanding progress on these LHIs can guide policy reform that aims to improve US population health.

Cross-sectional analysis based on de-identified, population-level federal data representing the US population, stratified by race, age, gender, income, and education using cluster-based and stratified sampling methods.

Of 23 LHIs, 5 were categorized as little to no detectable change, 5 as worsening, 6 as improving, 5 as target met or exceeded, and 2 with no updated current value. Notable improvements included treatment of adolescent depression, reducing binge drinking, and hypertension control, while worsening areas included drug-overdose deaths, homicides, and food insecurity. Inequalities have persisted or widened for most indicators.

The United States is lagging or worsening in 10 of 23 Healthy People 2030 LHIs. Understanding the implications of such findings is valuable for highlighting health care gaps, pinpointing areas for improvement, and underscoring the need for action.