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Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Mesa 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
Mesa County in Colorado covers approximately 3,309 square miles and has a
population of about 134,200 (2006); 10% of people living in the county are
Hispanic or Latino. In 2003, 67,809 residents were in the county labor force
and the unemployment rate was nearly 6%. The median household income is
$39,750; almost 13% of county residents live below the federal poverty level
(2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimates). Because rates of obesity and diabetes
are high in the county, the Steps Program focuses on improving residents’
eating habits and increasing their physical activity levels.
Spotlight on Business
The Mesa County Steps Program created LiveWell, a free, year-round
program that was designed based on residents’ priorities for improving the
health of the community. LiveWell involves all segments of
society—individuals, organizations, work sites, health care providers, and
schools—in a wide range of engaging activities. Overall, participants
report weight loss, increased physical activity, decreased television
viewing, more fruit and vegetable consumption, and better overall health.
Read more about LiveWell in Mesa County’s success story in The Steps
Program in Action, available at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/mesa.pdf
(PDF- 87KB).
Community Partnerships
The LiveWell Coalition has 35 members from 27 different organizations.
Key partners include St. Mary’s Hospital (Saccomanno Research Institute,
Life Center), City of Grand Junction Parks and Recreation, Colorado State
University Cooperative Extension, KJCT-News 8, Mesa County Tobacco Education
Council, City of Fruita Parks and Recreation, Mesa County Indoor Air Quality
Program, Mesa County Riverfront Commission, Girls on the Run of the Grand
Valley, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Western Colorado Kids, Colorado
National Monument, Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Physical
Therapy Specialty Center. In addition, more than 212 community partners have
contributed to the Steps Program’s success by donating more than $484,680.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierCO–Mesa County
Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
Telephone: 970-254-4116
www.livewell.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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