BLACK-LEADERS PERCEPTIONS OF THE YEAR 2000 PUBLIC-HEALTH GOALS FOR BLACK-AMERICANS

We surveyed 1196 Black health and political leaders on their perceptio ns about the US Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy Peopl e 2000 public health goals. Respondents identified reducing the incide nce of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, improving maternal and infa nt health, and controlling sexually transmitted diseases as the three most important public health goals for Black Americans that are amenab le to intervention. The leaders assigned nearly all responsibility for prevention efforts to the federal government and the individual. With the American health care system now in flux, Black leaders need to or ganize to see that these priority issues are addressed.