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Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Salinas, California
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 is helping build healthier communities in the city of
Salinas—located in Monterey County—by working with schools, health care
providers, work sites, and community leaders. Programmatic efforts are
focused on people most burdened by chronic diseases, including racial and
ethnic minority groups, with a special emphasis on Hispanics or Latinos,
low-income populations, farm workers, school-age children, and groups at
high risk for diabetes, asthma, and obesity. In 2005, just over 14% of
residents in Monterey County lived below the federal poverty level. Salinas
has been federally designated as both a Health Professional Shortage Area
and a Medically Underserved Area, further supporting the need for health
interventions in this area.
Spotlight on Success
- The Steps Program in Salinas is working with seven local Federally
Qualified Health Centers and community-based health care providers to
implement the Patient Electronic Care System, which is designed to improve
care and disease self-management skills for patients with diabetes.
Participating clinics have shown significant progress in helping patients
manage their diabetes. From September 2003 to April 2006, the percentage of
patients who had controlled blood pressure increased from 32% to 40%, and
increases were also recorded for those who had dilated eye exams (from 24%
to 48%) and foot exams (from 25% to 32%). Read this success story in The
Steps Program in Action, available at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/salinas.pdf
(PDF- 82KB).
- With assistance from the Salinas Steps program, 18 faith-based groups and
3 programs for seniors have begun walking groups, improved food options, and
developed health screenings or health promotion messages. Thirty health
promoters were trained to give neighborhood presentations, and 22 local
restaurants offer healthier meal options and health information.
Community Partnerships
With approximately 200 partners contributing to the overall effort,
community partnerships are integral to the success of the Steps Program in
Salinas. The Council for a Healthier Salinas is made up of 130 of these
partners, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies,
businesses, faith-based groups, health providers, schools, and media
outlets. The executive committee—which includes local leaders such as the
mayor, the police chief, a school board trustee, and a county supervisor—has
identified the following four key policy focus areas: built environment
modifications, locally grown food access, school wellness, and work-site
wellness.
Contact
Steps to a Healthier Salinas
Monterey County Health Department
Telephone: 831-755-4541
www.stepstoahealthiersalinas.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 24, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and
Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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