Recorded presentation

Michelle A. Rose, PhD, Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement program, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-85, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-4306, MARose@cdc.gov

Steps to a HealthierUS is an 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.

The centerpiece of the Steps to a HealthierUS Initiative is a five-year cooperative agreement program to improve the lives of Americans through community-based chronic disease prevention and control. Through this program, states, cities, and tribal entities receive funds to implement chronic disease prevention efforts focused on reducing the burden of diabetes, overweight, obesity, and asthma and addressing three related risk factors—physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.

On September 2003, Secretary Thompson announced the award of 12 grants totaling $13.7 million to reach 23 communities, including one tribal consortium, 15 small cities or rural communities, and seven large cities. Additional communities will be funded in 2004; a national organization will be funded to enhance the capacity of Steps communities.

Each Steps community has created a community action plan, a community consortium, and an evaluation strategy to address the three targeted conditions and their risk factors. HHS provides expertise, oversight and technical assistance for program planning, implementation and evaluation.

This session will provide an overview of the Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement program and current programmatic, community, partnership, and funding activities. In addition, Steps successes, challenges, and strategic plans will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• understand and discuss the purpose, activities, and goals of the Steps to a HealthierUS cooperative agreement program.
• idenitfy ways to link their organization or community activities and goals to Steps activities and objectives.
• apply lessons learned from the Steps program to their own initiatives.

Related Web page: www.healthierus.gov/steps/grants.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation