The overall goals of public health, as listed in the nation's public health guidelines (the "Healthy People 2010" initiative), are to:

• Increase life expectancy
• Eliminate health disparities

Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives are used by federal, state, and local health departments and community-based organizations to provide guidance for public health efforts.  Most of the health problems this department addresses are prioritized by the U.S. Public Health Service's Healthy People 2010 and Nebraska's Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives.  Priority areas include physical activity, overweight and obesity, tobacco use, substance abuse, responsible sexual behavior, mental health, injury and violence, environmental quality, immunization, and access to health care.

The administration and staff of the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department are charged with the responsibility of carrying out the following core public health functions to achieve the Healthy People 2010 goals:

• Assess the needs of the community
• Develop policies that promote good health
• Assure that health care will be available to all through disease prevention and health promotion programs and activities.

More information can be found at (www.apha.org/ppp/science/10ES.htm)