Healthy People in States and Territories

As I began working on this month’s newsletter, I found myself uncertain about which topic to cover next from Healthy People 2030. With so many areas to explore and only one article each month, choosing a focus can be challenging. To find inspiration, I turned to the Tools for Action dropdown menu on the Healthy People website and quickly found the Healthy People in States and Territories page [https://health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/healthy-people-states-and-territories].

This page not only offers a directory of Healthy People Coordinators for each state and territory but also provides access to their health improvement plans and the leading health indicators they are addressing. I reviewed a few plans and was both surprised and unsurprised by my findings.

I attempted to access the health improvement plans for Maryland and DC, but unfortunately, neither link worked—a reminder of my time spent living there. I then turned my attention to Michigan’s plan, hoping to summarize it. However, the plan was a hefty 170+ pages long and, notably, was published in 2017, reflecting a government administration that is no longer in place.

Despite these challenges, I encourage you to explore the health improvement plan for your own state or territory if it’s available and up to date. From my experience as an executive, I believe it is essential to “follow the money.” These plans can provide valuable insights into the priorities of public health and other health initiatives in your area. Moreover, if you identify major issues that are not being addressed in your community, these plans can serve as a starting point for discussions with officials on how to better meet your needs.