San Diego Black Health Associates

7840 Mission Center Court
San Diego, CA 92108

The Steppin’ to Health project seeks to educate, prevent and control diabetes in the African American community of Central San Diego, with a particular focus on persons who are overweight or obese. The project is implemented through a coalition that includes San Diego Black Health Associates, the NMA Comprehensive Health Center, and the Neighborhood House Association.

Project activities are designed to enhance knowledge and awareness about obesity and its contribution to diabetes, provide opportunities to conduct risk assessment and screenings for diabetes, stimulate increased physical activity, demonstrate diabetes-conscious meal preparation and proportion control, and link support systems in the community to reinforce changes in diet and lifestyle. A community-wide information and education program involves the distribution of flyers and project fact sheets; participation in various community events during which informational brochures and consumer education articles that provide guidance about diabetes prevention, obesity/overweight and care management approaches on how these conditions are affecting African Americans are disseminated; and a media campaign to promote awareness of diabetes and of the project. The grantee and its partners participate in up to 10 health fairs and other community events each year to conduct risk assessments and screenings; and collaborate with churches that promote diabetes, obesity and overweight prevention, and nutrition education awareness by hosting community forums and exercise classes. Participants are encouraged to increase their level of physical activity by creating wellness clubs, participating in physical fitness programs, and taking food preparation classes. Each year, approximately 1,000 individuals are screened for diabetes and 500 individuals increase their level of physical activity to three times each week. Screened individuals are provided with information related to health care access and preventive health and community health services, or are referred to a health care provider. Follow up is conducted to determine whether clients complete their referral contacts.