Steps to a HealthierUS logo Steps to a Healthier Cherokee Nation


2004

The Steps to a HealthierUS 5-year cooperative agreement program funds States, cities, and tribal entities 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.

For FY 2003, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocated $13.6 million to fund 24 communities; in FY 2004, HHS allocated $35.8 million to increase funding to the existing 24 communities and to fund an additional 16, including the Cherokee Nation in Okalahoma, for a total of 40 communities.

Amount of Award

  • $500,000.

Project Area

  • Cherokee and Adair counties (Native American population 22,725).

Demographics of Project Area

These two counties are part of the larger Cherokee Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Service Area.

Target Population
  • Tribal members of the Cherokee Nation.

Lead Agency

  • Cherokee Nation Health

Steps Activities

Media

  • Expand the statewide anti-tobacco abuse media effort to all of Cherokee and Adair counties.
  • Expand the Walk this Weigh media campaign, which addresses overweight and obesity. 

Policy

  • Apply the 24/7 smoking bans and restrictions to schools administered by the Cherokee Nation and to one local school district.
    •

    School

  • Implement the Cherokee Nation WINGS running program to encourage physical activity and proper nutrition in additional schools.
    •

    Community

  • Implement the Wisdom Steps health promotion program in two elderly nutrition sites.
    •

    Workplace

  • Use point-of-decision prompts to encourage physical activity.
  • Expand the availability of smoking cessation programs to two local industries in the target counties.
    •

    Health Care

  • Train providers in at least one facility on standards of care for asthma and self-management.
  • Ensure that physicians receive training and continuing medical education in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force clinical guidelines on prevention.
    •

    Evaluation

    HHS will provide 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

    Tahlequah Medical Associates, Stilwell Nutrition Center, Northeastern State University College of Optometry, Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma Turning Point. 

    Cherokee Nation Steps Contact

    Lisa Perkins
    (918) 456-0671
    lperkins@cherokee.org

    Return to Community Fact Sheets