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Steps to a Healthier Alabama
The Steps Program funds states, cities, and tribal entities to implement community-based chronic disease prevention efforts that are focused on reducing the burden of obesity, diabetes, and asthma and addressing three related risk factors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.
Project Area
- River Region (population 378,451), including Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties.
- Southeast Alabama Region (population 65,668), including Barbour and Pike counties.
Demographics of Project Area
- Barbour County has a per capita annual income of $13,316.
- 33% of Macon County residents live below the Federal Poverty Level.
- Macon County ranks third highest in the nation for diabetes.
- Lowndes County has fewer than 19 residents per square mile but only four practicing physicians.
Target Population
- Minority populations; rural residents; school-age children; and groups at high risk of diabetes, asthma, and obesity.
Lead Agency
- Alabama Department of Public Health.
Activities
Media
- Television, radio stations, and billboards broadcast health messages concurrently with news reports on the benefits of physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco-free living.
- Coordinate with allied agencies and organizations to publish and distribute an updated Steps resource directory.
- Develop a Web Site that includes video messages and health tips, calendars of events and success stories.
Policy
- Partner with allied health agencies and community organizations to educate at-risk populations on chronic disease self- management.
- Facilitate community access to open spaces, physical activity facilities, and non-motorized transportation (e.g., walking trails, bikeways, sidewalks) to increase physical activity in the intervention areas.
School
- Implement the School Health Index in both intervention areas.
- Work with local schools to implement State Board of Education 2005 Resolution to improve nutrition and physical activity.
- Implement interventions that enhance asthma self-management by students through programs such as the Asthma Safari and Open Airways.
- Coordinate with the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Branch to implement LIFESKILLS program in schools.
- Coordinate with the Alabama Department of Education to implement the We Can! after school program to emphasize healthy nutrition and physical activity.
Community
- Use faith-based organizations as venues for chronic disease screenings and risk assessments.
- Coordinate with the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Women’s Health Program and the University of Alabama/Tuskegee University EXPORT New Leaf Project, to provide trained community health advisors in faith-based organizations to conduct community weight loss programs.
- Promote worksite wellness to employers through the Take Charge Challenge, a health promotion program focusing on tobacco use cessation and prevention, nutrition, and physical activity.
Health Care
- Wellness Advocates and trained volunteers assist those at risk to access healthcare and develop healthy lifestyles.
Evaluation
HHS provides training and technical assistance to help each Steps community develop measurable program objectives and specific indicators of progress and use relevant data to support ongoing program improvement. HHS will also conduct a national evaluation of the entire program. Existing data sources, such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Youth Risk Behavior
Surveillance System, will be used to identify and measure program outcomes and assess progress toward program goals.
Community Partners
American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, State and local health departments, BlueCross BlueShield Insurance, Montgomery Area Wellness Coalition, Montgomery Area YMCA, Troy University, Pike County Extension Service.
Page last reviewed: May 2, 2008
Page last modified: August 13, 2007
Content source: Division of Adult and
Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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