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Funding Period:
2004–2009
The Steps Program in Southeast Alaska
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
The Steps Program in Southeast Alaska is building healthier
communities by working with schools, health care providers, work sites,
and community leaders. Programmatic efforts are focused on Alaska
Natives and rural residents, who are most affected by chronic diseases.
Demographics supporting the need for intervention include the
significant population of Alaska Natives in this area—primarily the
Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimpshian.
Spotlight on Success
The Sitka School District worked with the Steps Program to improve
the quality of foods and beverages offered in school vending machines.
Prior to 2007, only federal regulations were in place for monitoring
vending machine offerings in the middle and high schools. Over the
course of a year, the school district formed a wellness team and held
regular meetings to educate school leaders and staff and instill
confidence that significant revenues would not be lost. They presented
studies showing that over time, revenue from regulated vending machines
recover, and offering healthy foods and drinks can be just as profitable
as offering less healthy food choices. In addition, the wellness team
and project coordinator worked with the regional distributor of the
vending machines on how to implement these changes as smoothly as
possible. Schools are now giving students access to a variety of
affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and
nutrition needs of students. Schools are trying to accommodate the
religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student body in meal
planning and will provide students with clean, safe, and pleasant
settings and adequate time for eating. The schools will also limit the
marketing of less healthy foods and beverages
to students.
Community Partnerships
Community partnerships are integral to the success of the Steps
Program in Southeast Alaska. The Steps leadership team is comprised of
state, regional, and local representatives. The members represent Senior
Services; Head Start; Goldbelt, Inc.; Southeast Alaska Regional Health
Consortium prevention programs; the State Health Program; and the
Department of Health and Social Services. These partnerships guide the
work plan for the Steps Program in Southeast Alaska.
Contact
Steps to a Healthier SE Alaska
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)
Telephone: 907-966-8865
www.searhc.org*
*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: May 2, 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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