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Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Cochise County, Arizona
CDC’s Steps Program funds states, cities, and tribal groups to implement
community-based chronic disease prevention programs to reduce the burden of
obesity, diabetes, and asthma by addressing three related risk factors:
physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. Steps-funded programs
are showing what can be done locally in schools, work sites, communities,
and health care settings to promote healthier lifestyles and help people
make long-lasting and sustainable changes that can reduce their risk for
chronic diseases.
Background
Cochise County is large and diverse—with a population of 126,160, it
encompasses 6,215 square miles of land and approximately 28 communities
including Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, and Willcox.
Based on 2003 population estimates, nearly 28% of residents are Hispanic or
Latino. The median household income is $36,296; nearly 17% of residents live
below the federal poverty level (2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimates) and
about 17% also do not have health insurance. Many Cochise County communities
are federally designated as Medically Underserved Areas. The Steps Program’s
efforts target underserved populations in predominantly rural areas that are
most impacted by chronic disease. These populations include racial and
ethnic minority groups, people living below the federal poverty level,
adults and the elderly, and children and adolescents who are overweight or
at risk for overweight.
Spotlight on Success
The Steps Program in Cochise County has empowered parents and other local
residents to advocate for increased physical activity and nutrition
education in schools, day care centers, and youth centers countywide. In
addition, Steps implemented the Washington State Dairy Council’s Healthy
Habits for Life program for woman, who traditionally purchase and prepare
foods for their families—participants reported eating more than three
additional servings of vegetables and two more servings of fruits each week,
decreasing their whole and 2% milk consumption, increasing their 1% and skim
milk consumption, and cooking more often with canola oil than with
shortening and butter. Read Cochise County’s success story in The Steps
Program in Action, available at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/cochise.pdf
(PDF- 81KB).
Community Partnerships
The Cochise County Steps Program is a collaborative partnership that
involves 13 community organizations, 10 school districts, individual
community members, and leaders from various public- and private-sector
organizations. Cochise County has three Special Action Groups/Community
Coalitions that are actively engaged in developing and implementing local
policy and organizational practice change in support of healthy lifestyles.
These coalitions comprise a variety of members from local public- and
private-sector agencies, organizations, and institutions.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierAZ–Cochise County
Cochise County Health Department
Telephone: 520-432-9400
www.co.cochise.az.us/health/healthdepartment/steps.htm
*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a
service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization
by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is
not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found
at this link.
One or more documents on this Web page are available in Adobe Acrobat® Format
(PDF).
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files on this page.
Page last reviewed: July 31, 2008
Page last modified: July 31, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and
Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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