Steps to a HealthierUS

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Purpose:

To fund community implementation of chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs that target three major chronic diseases and their underlying risk factors

Target Population:

Hispanics, Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian-American/Pacific Islanders, immigrants, low-income populations, people with disabilities, school-age youth, senior citizens, the uninsured or underinsured, and people at high risk for chronic disease

Program Goals:

To help Americans live longer and healthier lives

Years in Operation:

2003 - present 

Results:

Results from "Steps" communities include:

• Austin, Texas - The Steps program partners with Capital Metro to implement a worksite wellness program. Since its inception, employee absences have dropped more than 44 percent, health care costs increased by only 9 percent during 2004 - 2005 (compared to 27 percent during the previous year), and the Healthy Cafeteria program reported a 172 percent increase in the purchase of healthy foods.

• Pinellas County, Fla. - As a result of a Steps program, more than 3,700 students and staff increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables by the program's third year, and 90 percent of students and staff participate in the schools' farmers markets.

• Broome County, N.Y. - In 2004, a significant percentage of adults were overweight or obese in Broome County. After Steps' "Mission Meltaway" program - an eight-week healthy life-style program - more than half of participants enjoyed weight loss and reduced body mass index (BMI).

Funding:

The Steps program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Communities receive between $500,000 and $1.5 million to implement programs.

Key Partners:

YMCA-USA/Steps; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Health Resources and Services Administration; Administration on Aging; Ad Council; Active Living by Design; HealthierUS Veterans; United States Department of Agriculture

What Works and Why:

The Steps program works because it focuses its strategies on six fundamental principles:

• Responding to community needs - In each Steps community, leaders from the public sector, nonprofit organizations and private organizations are brought together to promote disease prevention and health promotion strategies.

• Reaching diverse population groups - Steps communities partner with members of different racial and ethnic groups.

• Creating nontraditional partnerships - Steps communities partner with nonhealth entities such as Chambers of Commerce, transportation agencies, and media.

• Working in a wide range of settings - Communities promote disease prevention and health promotion activities at schools, workplaces, faith-based organizations, and health systems.

• Implementing large-scale interventions - Steps communities focus on the entire community population, not just one specific age group.

• Making programs sustainable - Steps programs are designed to be sustainable and to be integrated within the whole community.

Structure and Operations:

Since the Steps program began in 2003, it has awarded more than $100 million to 40 communities to implement evidence-based activities. Currently, Steps funds 12 large city/urban communities, 25 counties in seven states, and three tribes/tribal entities.

Steps communities create action plans and evaluation strategies to address and implement activities for its priority health challenges: obesity, diabetes, asthma, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. Steps communities form partnerships to extend the reach of their programs and further their progress. In addition, all activities are integrated throughout the community - in schools, workplaces, businesses, and health systems.

Steps uses the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System to measure program outcomes and goals. Steps also funds the YMCA of the USA to expand the reach of community-based programs. Local YMCAs receive mini-grants to partner with local Steps communities and implement Steps programs. Examples of activities include after-hours physical activity programs, promoting healthy eating, and supporting healthy vending machines for children.

Barriers to Success:

One of the major barriers that Steps communities have had to overcome is payment for community activities. Many of the populations being served by Steps communities are low-income and cannot afford activities that cost money. Another barrier is the involvement of leaders within the community; if school principals, mayors or business executives are not on board with the program, then the program will not survive.

More Information:

http://www.cdc.gov/steps/about_us/index.htm

Download:

Download this program information in PDF format.