Steps: Success Stories

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Success Stories on Community Initiatives to Prevent Chronic Diseases

The Steps Program presents a compilation of effective chronic disease prevention activities that are transforming the face of local public health. Steps-funded communities are addressing the burden of chronic diseases by implementing proven strategies and activities that help people to be more physically active, eat a healthy diet, stop using tobacco and—for those affected—better manage their diabetes and asthma.

The Steps Program in Action: Success Stories on Community Initiatives to Prevent Chronic Diseases* (PDF–825K) is a 44-page booklet illustrating local community initiatives in schools, work sites, communities, and health care settings that promote healthier lifestyles and assist people in making sustainable changes to reduce their risks for chronic diseases.

These community successes have far-reaching implications by serving as models that can be replicated nationwide for young people, adults, families, and underserved populations. The unique approach of Steps that promotes accelerated change includes the following: 1) Steps activities being conducted where people work, live, and play: schools, neighborhoods, faith-based institutions, work sites, and health care settings, 2) partnerships—traditional and nontraditional—that enhance program delivery and sustainability, and 3) a comprehensive approach of collaborating with the private sector and multiple levels of government, as well as addressing three important health conditions and their underlying risk factors.

Individual profiles from The Steps Program in Action and other sources are listed below.

Responding to Community Needs

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (PDF-86K)—Encouraging chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

Broome County, New York (PDF-84K)—Helping control diabetes and obesity.

Clark County, Washington (PDF-252K)—Getting results with a walking guide and physical activity campaign.

Cleveland, Ohio (PDF-82KB)—Organizing community gardens for promoting physical activity and healthy eating.

Cochise County, Arizona (PDF-81K)—Encouraging healthy eating.

Fayette County, Pennsylvania (PDF-86K)—Improving physical activity and healthy eating.

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (PDF-90K)—Increasing awareness of chronic disease prevention.

Mesa County, Colorado (PDF-87K)—Providing a health promotion program in conjunction with healthcare providers.

River Region, Alabama (PDF-82K)—Improving diabetes self-management through wellness advocate assistance.

Rochester, Minnesota (PDF-90K)—Increasing family fitness opportunities.

Weld County, Colorado (PDF-81KB)—Improving diabetes prevention and management among Hispanics.

Yuma County, Arizona (PDF-88K)—Improving nutrition and physical activity practices at child care centers.

Creating Healthier School Environments

Broome County, New York (PDF-161K)—Creating a healthier school lunch menu using an innovative school lunch purchasing initiative.

Boston, Massachusetts (PDF-83K)—Increasing healthy behaviors among students.

Colorado State (PDF-91KB)—Reducing students’ risky health behaviors.

Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma (PDF-88K)—Reducing tobacco use on school campuses.

Hillsborough County, Florida (PDF-83K)—Educating parents and staff to assist with student asthma management.

Pinellas County, Florida (PDF-82K)—Increasing schools’ lunchtime fruit and vegetable choices.

Rockland County, New York (PDF-90K)—Improving students’ health and academics through integrated physical activity in the curriculum.

San Antonio, Texas (PDF-85K)—Creating student asthma action plans in schools.

Southeast Region, Alabama (PDF-94K)—Promoting healthy behaviors among students and staff members.

Working in Health Care Settings to Improve Patient Care

Chautauqua County, New York (PDF-80K)—Educating patients on tobacco use and cessation.

Salinas, California (PDF-82K)—Improving the delivery of diabetes care through an electronic documentation system.

Helping Work Sites Improve Employee Health

Austin, Texas (PDF-89K)—Improving obesity management and reducing health care costs through worksite wellness program.

Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan Counties, Washington (PDF-97K)—Creating healthier working environments.

Jefferson County, New York (PDF-88K)—Promoting healthy behaviors among school employees.

Santa Cruz County, Arizona (PDF-90K)—Improving the health of both employees and students.

*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.

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