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Funding Period:
2004–2009
The Steps Program in Oklahoma’s Cherokee
Nation
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 Cherokee Nation Steps Program is building healthier American Indian
communities in Oklahoma by working with schools, health care providers, work
sites, and tribal leaders in Cherokee, Adair, Mayes, Sequoyah, and Delaware
counties. These five contiguous counties are located in northeastern
Oklahoma and are part of the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county Tribal
Jurisdictional Service Area. Steps efforts are focused on the significant
health impact of chronic diseases and health disparities among approximately
49,000 American Indian residents, representing 26% of the total population
in these areas. The 5-county area includes 68 elementary, 16 middle, and 25
high schools, which are ideal places to reach young people with health
promotion messages.
Spotlight on Success
- The Cherokee Nation Steps Program provided
technical assistance, including the American Lung Association’s Tools for
Schools Indoor Air Quality training, to 19 schools with predominantly
American Indian student populations. All 19 schools made policy or
environmental changes, including developing overall wellness policies,
offering healthier choices in vending machines and cafeterias, and providing
lighting for and access to exercise facilities after school. Nine schools
developed and implemented 24/7 tobacco-free environment policies. The
Cherokee Nation Steps Program also provided School Health Index (SHI)
training to 65 school administrators, teachers, staff members, and
partnering organizations. All 19 schools completed the SHI and created and
carried out action plans for improvement. Read this success story in The
Steps Program in Action, available at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/cherokee.pdf (PDF - 88KB).
- The Cherokee Nation Wings physical activity program, supported by
Steps, is open to everyone in the community, and more than 1,000 active
members have registered. Cherokee Nation Wings plans and conducts physical
activity events such as local road races and community hiking, bowling,
skating, and swimming activities.
Community Partnerships
Partnerships have been an important component in the success of the
Cherokee Nation Steps Program. The Cherokee Steps partnerships comprise both
traditional and nontraditional partners, including health care providers,
county health departments, cooperative extension services, schools, the
state department of health, local businesses, and other community programs
and agencies. These partnerships have helped expand the reach and success of
the Steps Program far beyond what it could have accomplished on its own.
Contact
Steps to a Healthier Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation Health Services Group
Telephone: 918-453-5000 or 1-800-850-0298
www.steps.cherokee.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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