Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Surgeon General David Satcher have released "Healthy People 2010," the nation’s health goals for this decade, and also unveiled a new national health assessment tool called the nation’s "Leading Health Indicators," comprising 10 areas of health status.

The national health goals focus on two major themes:

• Increasing the quality and years of healthy life, and
• Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health status.

The 10 leading health indicators cover physical activity, obesity, tobacco use, substance abuse, mental health, injury and violence, environmental quality, immunization, responsible sexual behavior, and access to health care. The indicators are supported by 21 specific measurable objectives that reflect the influence of behavioral and environmental factors and community health interventions. By monitoring these 21 measures, states and communities can assess their current health status and progress.