STEPS TO A HEALTHIERUS |
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Steps to a HealthierUS (Steps) is a bold new initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that advances President George W. Bush’s HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. Recognizing that the United States is in a health care crisis, HHS launched the Steps initiative in 2003. At the heart of this program lie both personal responsibility for the choices Americans make and social responsibility to ensure that policy makers support programs that foster healthy behaviors and prevent disease. The Steps initiative envisions a healthy, strong U.S. population supported by a health care system in which diseases are prevented when possible, controlled when necessary, and treated when appropriate. This initiative is a shift in the traditional approach to the health of our citizens, moving us from a disease care system to a health care system. Why Steps to a HealthierUS Is NeededOur current health care system is not structured to deal with the escalating costs of treating diseases that are largely preventable through modifiable behaviors. Policy makers, the health community, and the public must come together to establish programs and policies that support behavior changes, encourage healthier lifestyle choices, and reduce disparities in health care. What Steps to a HealthierUS Will AccomplishRealizing that small changes over time can yield dramatic results, the Steps initiative is committed to identifying and promoting programs that encourage small behavior changes. Steps will unite the forces of all HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Food and Drug Administration, and National Institutes of Health. With a strong emphasis on proven interventions and existing science, Steps will promote the following:
Reducing the Burden of DiseaseDiabetesDiabetes is a serious, costly disease that is on the rise. Currently, 18.2 million Americans have diabetes, and nearly 5.2 million of them are unaware that they have the disease. More than 200,000 people die each year of diabetes-related complications. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, leg and foot amputations, pregnancy complications, and deaths related to flu and pneumonia. ObesityObesity is the nation’s newest health epidemic. More than 64% of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese. At least 400,000 deaths each year are related to poor diet and physical inactivity. AsthmaMore than 31 million people in the United States have diagnosed asthma, and although a lot is known about how to prevent its symptoms and consequences, many people are not applying this knowledge. Asthma can be controlled by preventing or managing the symptoms with medication and eliminating or controlling the environmental factors that trigger it. Heart Disease and StrokeHeart disease and stroke account for more than 40% of all deaths each year. They are the first and third leading causes of death for both men and women in all U.S. racial and ethnic groups. Much of the burden of heart disease and stroke could be eliminated by reducing their major risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. CancerCancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than half a million people each year. Poor nutrition, overweight, and inactivity contribute to about one-third of all cancers. Over 150,000 deaths each year are attributable to cigarette smoking. Addressing Lifestyle ChoicesPoor Nutrition and Physical InactivityPoor nutrition and physical inactivity contribute to many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, some forms of cancer, and obesity. Many Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, get enough regular exercise, or maintain a normal weight despite the proven health benefits of these behaviors. Tobacco UseTobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Smoking contributes to several chronic diseases, including lung disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 435,000 deaths each year (1 in 5 deaths). Youth Risk TakingHealth risk behaviors that are often established in youth contribute dramatically to heart disease, cancer, and injury. Examples include tobacco use, unhealthy dietary habits, inadequate physical activity, alcohol and other drug use, and behaviors that result in violence and unintentional injuries. Steps Cooperative Agreement ProgramA centerpiece of this initiative is the 5-year cooperative agreement program. Through this program, states, cities, and tribal entities receive funds to implement chronic disease prevention efforts focused on reducing the burden of diabetes, overweight and obesity, and asthma and addressing three related risk behaviors—physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. In FY 2003, the Steps Program allocated $13.6 million to fund 12 grantees representing 24 communities (7 large cities, 1 tribe, and 4 states that coordinate grants to 16 small cities and rural communities). In FY 2004, $35.8 million was granted to increase funding to the existing communities and to fund an additional 10 grantees representing 16 communities (5 large cities, 2 tribes, and 3 states that coordinate grants to 9 small cities and rural communities). These 40 funded communities will implement community action plans to reduce health disparities and promote quality health care and prevention services. For more information about the Steps Cooperative Agreement Program, please contact U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
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For more information about Steps to a
HealthierUS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
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