Black leaders' perceptions of the year 2000 public health goals for black Americans.

We surveyed 1196 Black health and political leaders on their perceptions about the US Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2000 public health goals. Respondents identified reducing the incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, improving maternal and infant health, and controlling sexually transmitted diseases as the three most important public health goals for Black Americans that are amenable 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 organize to see that these priority issues are addressed.