Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Steps to a Healthier Arizona (Steps) Initiative is part of an innovative national health promotion and disease prevention effort. The program consists of a partnership between the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Arizona Department of Education (ADE), University of Arizona (UA), and local community-based organizations. The initiative aims to reduce the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma and address the related risk factors of poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use in Southern Arizona. This region includes Cochise, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties, and the Tohono O'odham Nation.

To prevent and control chronic disease through effective, innovative programs using an integrated approach and cross community interventions, and by empowering the community to make public policy and environmental changes in support of healthier lifestyles.

To reduce the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma and address the related risk factors of poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use.

• Build on Border Health ¡SI! to include obesity and asthma interventions
• Establish and strengthen Special Action Groups (SAGs)/community coalitions
• Increase number of schools that use the School Health Index
• Coordinate state efforts with programs at the local community level
• Establish systems for recording and analyzing health data/statistics
• Involve community in the development of health programs and training
• Train health care providers and lay health workers

The Steps Initiative is a collaboration between ADHS and the following partners who work with community groups, schools, parks and recreation departments, professional associations, government agencies, tribal councils and other organizations:

State Agency Partners

• ADE - School Health and Nutrition Programs
• UA - Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health Prevention Research Center

Community Lead Agency Partners

• Cochise County Health Department
• Mariposa Community Health Center
• Tohono O'odham Nation Department of Human Services
• UA - Yuma Cooperative Extension

SAGs/Community Coalitions

More than 200 community members and leaders from organizations and agencies in the Arizona-Mexico border region participate in local coalitions to promote policy that encourages healthy lifestyles. This helps create an environment that supports ongoing program activities. Examples of important policy change are improving parks and gymnasiums, allowing students with asthma to carry inhalers, and empowering parents to advocate for physical activity and nutrition education in schools.

Due to the broad reach of the Steps Initiative, it is important that changes are made in multiple areas to encourage healthier lifestyle choices. Some of the key activities implemented through the Steps program include:

Patient Care and Education

• El Aire Es Vida/Air is Life asthma education for farm workers

Health Care Provider and Lay Health Worker Training

• Arizona Asthma Provider and School Nurse Toolkits, resources for professionals regarding appropriate asthma care 
• Southern Arizona Walkable Communities Workshop, regarding how to determine a community’s  walkability and promote pedestrian and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods

Community Outreach

• Camp Not-A-Choo for asthmatic children
• Pasos Adelante/Steps Forward, a nutrition education and walking club program for adults living with, or at risk for, diabetes

School Health

• Technical assistance for day care centers and schools in evaluating their health education, meals and snacks, and physical activity

Workplace

• School Employee Wellness Program, including health risk appraisals, nutrition and physical activity classes, and health insurance benefit

Policy and Environment

• SAGs/Community Coalitions:
  • Raise awareness about chronic disease and behavioral risk factors
  • Participate in city planning to increase open spaces
  • Increase resources for communities to build recreational facilities