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Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Weld County, Colorado
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
Weld County has a population of about 229,000 and covers more than 4,000
square miles in northern Colorado. In 2005, nearly 12% of county residents
lived below the federal poverty level, and the median household income was
$48,338 (2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimates). The county has more than 80,000
employees in all industries combined, with approximately 12 major employers
that have more than 500 workers each. Weld County Steps Program activities
primarily focus on the Hispanic and Latino residents that make up
approximately 28% of the county’s population.
Spotlight on Business
Using small-group educational conversations (pláticas), the Weld County
Steps Program implemented a diabetes education program culturally and
linguistically tailored to the Hispanic population. The pláticas are based
on the Small Changes Make a Big Difference curriculum developed by
the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension service and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment. With Steps funding as leverage,
the program was able to obtain in-kind donations of Spanish-language media
messages. With a mobile medical van, this program also provided diabetes
education to about 1,200 people in their residences and work sites, even to
farm workers in fields. Participants reported an increase in knowledge about
prevention and control of diabetes. They also reported eating more
nutritious foods and increasing their physical activity. Read more about
these successful activities in The Steps Program in Action, available
at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/weld.pdf (PDF- 81KB).
Community Partnerships
The Weld County Steps Program has wide community support and involvement.
More than nine active coalitions and task forces have been established, and
many networks and partnerships have resulted. A wide variety of businesses,
organizations, and health care entities are represented, including the Weld
County Health Department, the Sunrise Community Health Center, the Greeley
Chamber of Commerce, State Farm Insurance, the North Colorado Medical
Center, the City of Greeley, Mayeda Family Chiropractic, the Colorado State
University Extension service, New Frontier Bank, and Roche Constructors,
Inc. The Steps Program also collaborates with the University of Northern
Colorado, Aims Community College, and the Greeley and Carbon Valley Chambers
of Commerce on education and training activities. Many of the partners have
become program champions who lead efforts related to health promotion,
physical activity, and nutrition in their places of worship, work sites,
homes, community colleges, and many other places throughout the county.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierCO–Weld County
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Telephone: 970-304-6470
www.stepstoahealthierweld.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: 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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