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Funding Period:
2003–2008
The Steps Program in Rockland County,
New
York
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
Rockland County has a population of about 294,600. By race, nearly 78% of
residents are white, 11% are black or African American, and the remaining
11% are members of other races; by ethnicity, nearly 13% of county residents
are Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is $76,476; more than
10% of county residents live below the federal poverty level (2005 U.S.
Census Bureau estimates). The Steps Program in Rockland County is working
with food service establishments, parks, schools, businesses, and health
care providers to reduce the burden of chronic diseases by implementing
health and wellness policies, creating environments that support healthy
lifestyles, and supporting practices that promote good health. Outreach
plans focus on Rockland’s culturally diverse community, especially
school-aged children, the elderly, low-income neighborhoods, and the
Rockland community at large.
Spotlight on Success
- The Rockland County Steps Program, in partnership with local
anti-tobacco initiatives and the county’s park and recreation division,
created a program called Young Lungs at Play to prevent children’s
exposure to secondhand smoke in outdoor play areas. A community survey
conducted in May of 2006 showed that nearly 70% of residents support
tobacco-free outdoor spaces where children play. As a result of adopting
new policies, 453 signs designate 89 municipal areas, 31 public
elementary and middle school grounds, 14 day care centers, 11 housing
complexes, a church, and a day camp as tobacco-free zones.
- The Steps Program also launched an innovative school curriculum to
promote physical activity as a way to encourage academic achievement and
trained teachers on how to integrate it with daily classroom lessons.
Read this success story in The Steps Program in Action, available
at
www.cdc.gov/steps/success_stories/pdf/rockland.pdf (PDF- 90KB).
Community Partnerships
The Steps to a Healthier Rockland Collaborative, with its 200-plus
members, is integral to the success of efforts in Rockland County to reduce
the burden of chronic diseases. Meeting quarterly and implementing wellness
initiatives throughout Rockland on an ongoing basis, the Steps Program
strives to be “Everywhere in Your Neighborhood.” The collaborative involves
a wide array of community partnerships, including non-traditional public
health partners such as restaurants, parks and recreation departments, and
academic institutions.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierNY–Rockland County
Rockland County Department of Health
Telephone: 845-364-2500
www.rocklandsteps.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: August 5, 2008
Page last modified: August 5, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and
Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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