How Do We Measure Health?: HHS Highlights Leading Health Indicators

Most of the time when we think or talk about health, we think of medicine, clinics, and white lab coats, but the experience of health is actually much broader than that:

  • Do you have access to healthy foods and time to share meals with others?
  • Do you have a safe, walkable neighborhood with recreational opportunities and time to enjoy them?
  • Do you have healthy habits and the support you need to address unhealthy ones?

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed their commitment to Healthy People over the next decade.  Healthy People 2030 outlines a total of 355 data-driven objectives to improve health and well-being across the nation.  For the first time, the agenda also highlights a core subset of objectives as Leading Health Indicators (LHIs).

Why does this matter? The LHIs offer guidance to organizations and service systems about which population health outcomes across the lifespan are the most telling indicators of overall health and wellness. This helps us focus on the levers of greatest impact and target resources where they’re most needed, better understand health and wellness across life stages, and measure truly meaningful results. The LHI framework also helps to drive shared measurement standards among organizations with goals to improve community health and the conditions that make healthy choices accessible for all.

Consilience Group is enthusiastic about identifying opportunities to incorporate these LHIs with our partners to strengthen alignment with best practices and explore how we can work together to improve shared health outcomes in our communities.