 |
|
|
|
|
Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Santa Cruz County,
Arizona
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
Santa Cruz County borders Mexico in south-central Arizona and has a
history dating back to the cultures of the Apache, Yaqui, and Hohokam
peoples. It is the smallest county in the state, with a population of
40,267; about 85% of residents are Hispanic or Latino. The median household
income is $33,491, and more than 20% of county residents live below the
federal poverty level (2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimates). In 2005 the
unemployment rate was just over 15% and only about 39% of county residents
had graduated high school. The towns of Nogales and Patagonia have federal
designations as Medically Underserved and Primary Care Provider Shortage
areas. The Santa Cruz County Steps Program is working with schools, health
care providers, employers and employees at work sites, and community leaders
to build healthier Hispanic and Latino communities.
Spotlight on Success
- This Steps Program and its partners conduct physical activity and
nutrition education sessions for Santa Cruz County’s older adult
population in cooperation with the Santa Cruz Council on Aging in
Patagonia, Nogales, Rio Rico, and Tubac. Each site provides weekly
opportunities to participate in physical activity to improve seniors’
strength, cardiovascular health, balance, and function; in 2006, nearly
350 seniors participated. Nutrition education is provided at food bank
distribution sites in these same communities once a month, where
attendees participate in food demonstrations and receive healthy
recipes.
- The Steps Program held workshops to train school employees in the
use of CDC’s School Health Index. In two districts, 95% of schools used
the School Health Index to write action plans for improving employee and
student health and guiding the development of federally mandated
wellness policies. Activities included making improvements to a
work-site wellness program for school staff members, and one of the
school districts started allowing students to have active play time at
recess in 100% of its elementary schools. Read more of this success
story in The Steps Program in Action, available at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/santa_cruz.pdf
(PDF- 90KB).
Community Partnerships
A wide range of community partners help guide Santa Cruz County’s Steps
Program activities, including the Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital, Nogales
United School District #1, Santa Cruz Valley United School District #35,
Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office, Salud por Vida Gym,
Nogales Recreation Department, University of Arizona–Santa Cruz County
Cooperative Extension service, Santa Cruz County Planning & Zoning Director,
SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization–Council on Aging, Santa Cruz
Council on Aging, Santa Cruz County Food Bank, area alternative schools, and
the Southeast Arizona Area Health Education Center, Inc.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierAZ–Santa Cruz County
Mariposa Community Health Center
Telephone: 520-281-1550
www.azdhs.gov/phs/cdpc/steps
*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
|
|
