The article discusses the major public health achievements in the United States from 1900 to 1999, highlighting the significant improvements in health and life expectancy. These achievements include vaccination, which has led to the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of polio in the Americas, as well as the control of various infectious diseases. Other achievements include improvements in motor-vehicle safety, control of work-related health problems, better control of infectious diseases through clean water and sanitation, and the decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke due to risk-factor modification. Safer and healthier foods, healthier mothers and babies, access to family planning, fluoridation of drinking water, and the recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard are also highlighted. The article also discusses the impact of vaccines, noting their role in reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, polio, measles, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease. The article emphasizes the importance of public health efforts in reducing disease and improving health outcomes. It also discusses the decline in cigarette consumption in Oregon following the implementation of a comprehensive tobacco prevention and education program, which included a tax increase and a public awareness campaign. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for continued public health efforts to address ongoing challenges in the vaccine-delivery system and to expand the use of vaccines to new populations.The article discusses the major public health achievements in the United States from 1900 to 1999, highlighting the significant improvements in health and life expectancy. These achievements include vaccination, which has led to the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of polio in the Americas, as well as the control of various infectious diseases. Other achievements include improvements in motor-vehicle safety, control of work-related health problems, better control of infectious diseases through clean water and sanitation, and the decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke due to risk-factor modification. Safer and healthier foods, healthier mothers and babies, access to family planning, fluoridation of drinking water, and the recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard are also highlighted. The article also discusses the impact of vaccines, noting their role in reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, polio, measles, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease. The article emphasizes the importance of public health efforts in reducing disease and improving health outcomes. It also discusses the decline in cigarette consumption in Oregon following the implementation of a comprehensive tobacco prevention and education program, which included a tax increase and a public awareness campaign. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for continued public health efforts to address ongoing challenges in the vaccine-delivery system and to expand the use of vaccines to new populations.