STEPS TO A HEALTHIER ROCKLAND COUNTY (STEPS)
THE BURDEN OF CHRONIC DISEASE:
Chronic Disease accounts for more than 75% of the nation’s health care costs. Efforts to promote prevention could reduce annual health care spending by 100 billion to $125 billion per year. Dedication of resources for programs like Steps or Healthier Communities Models that promote a goal of preventing chronic disease, will have a profound effect on reducing costs associated with chronic disease in Rockland County and in NYS.
Diabetes Example: in 2004, NYS Medicaid spent 5.5 billion to treat people with Diabetes. Health care costs for a person with diabetes are over $13,000 per year; for a person with out diabetes the annual average health care cost is only $2,500. Management of diabetes is also cost effective. For every one point reduction in Diabetics measure of blood sugar over time ( HbA1C) a 40% reduction in microvascular complications is reported and up to $4,100 can be saved in annual health care costs.
A study of a national sample of adults born between 1931 and 1941 found that diabetes is a significant predictor of lost productivity. The average participant with diabetes lost close to $3,000 in wages due to early retirement, $630 due to more sick days and $22,100 due to disabilities, those with diabetics who were disabled in 1992 had a total of $74.9 billion in lost productivity from the disability onset through year 2000.
With this said, the rate of childhood obesity continues to escalate, and more type 2 diabetes are diagnosed in children. Not only will we be are looking at substantial loss of productivity in our future workforce, but an over all decline in the life expectancy, that public health has fought so hard to increase!
BRFSS 2006 - Burden of Disease Rockland County (RC):
- 59.2% of RC adults are overweight/obesity compared to NYS at 58.4%
- Only 27.2% of RC adult residents report eating the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables
- Only 13.9% of RC adolescents aged 12-19 eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables per day
- RC Adolescents aged 12-19 overweight and obesity rates (13.9% are 12.8% respectively), are double and triple that of the national healthy people 2010 recommendations
- Less than half of RC adolescents aged 12-19 get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day
THE FACTS ABOUT STEPS IN ROCKLAND:
The Steps to a Healthier Rockland County program is working with community entities such as food service establishments, parks, schools, businesses, and health care providers to create a healthier community. Efforts to reduce the burden of chronic disease include implementing health and wellness policies, creating environments that support healthy lifestyles, and supporting practices that promote good health. Outreach plans focus on Rockland's culturally diverse community reaching school-aged children, the elderly, low-income neighborhoods and the Rockland community at large. The Rockland County Steps program is leading the way and building the capacity for how local institutions and organizations need to do business, in order to prevent a chronic disease crisis, in coming years. Changing the course of health history, the Rockland County Steps program has created policy, systems and environmental changes where people live, work, learn, play and pray to help reduce or equalize the current chronic disease trends. No longer a siloed approach, the Steps model integrates healthy lifestyle messages and fosters a community where residents naturally engage in behaviors that lead to longer and healthier lives.
Click here for a visual representation of the Steps program in Rockland County.
KEY INITIATIVES AND OUTCOMES:
Community
Food service providers around Rockland are collaborating with the Steps program to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Nearly 100 restaurants have been promoting improved nutrition by highlighting over 950 healthier menu options. In addition, over 50 neighborhood markets, many in low-income neighborhoods, have labeled 400 items as healthier choices including low-fat milk, whole-wheat products and vegetables and fruits. Nearly 40 community leaders have been trained to offer an 8-week weight loss program at community centers, churches, businesses and libraries in which 381 adults completed the program losing a total of 1713 lbs. To support easier access to physical activity, a revitalization of a decade old mall-walking program is making one of the largest malls in the nation more accessible and fun for walkers. For Rocklanders who prefer the outdoors, 13 residents have been trained as Rockland County Trail Guide Docents to guide walks in the County Parks System.
Schools
The school program in Rockland focuses on supporting school health advisory councils (SHAC), implementing the School Health Index (SHI) and training teachers to use physical activity in the classroom through a professional development program called Learning in Motion (LiM). All 9 districts received training to form a SHAC, write a wellness policy and implement the SHI. Eighty percent of schools grades K-12 have completed the SHI and have made over 200 changes that improve nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco and asthma management. One hundred thirty nine teachers, grades K-12, from 47 schools received LiM training and have increased physical activity levels for their 6,300 students. A total of 43,000 students receive the benefits of a healthier school environment.
Worksites
Employers in Rockland are making sustainable changes that support a healthy workplace environment. Sixty six businesses have adopted the Steps Healthy Meeting Guidelines allowing for physical activity breaks during long meetings and providing healthier snack, drink, and meal alternatives. Many are providing healthier dining options in their worksite cafeterias and vending machines. These practices affect over 12,000 employees and workplace visitors.
Health care
The Steps program is working with health care provides to improve patient care related to diabetes and asthma. As a result, 17 primary health care practices made 52 changes improving the care of patients with diabetes. The Steps program in partnership with the New York Diabetes Coalition assisted the Rockland County Department of Health in implementing an electronic diabetes registry and improving workflow at the clinic providing optimal care to underserved residents with diabetes. In addition, a comprehensive asthma home care management program, Steps to Better Breathing, was developed to help families better understand and manage childhood asthma. Over 100 families have participated in the program that has also been adopted by a large regional Medicaid Managed Care company.
SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS:
The Rockland County Steps program in partnership with local anti-tobacco initiatives and the county park and recreation division created a program called Young Lungs at Play to prevent children’s exposure to secondhand smoke in outdoor play areas. A community survey conducted in May of 2006 showed that nearly 70% of residents support tobacco free outdoor spaces where children play. As a result of adopting new policies, 453 signs designate 89 municipal areas, 31 public elementary and middle school grounds, 15 daycare centers, 12 housing complexes, 6 faith-based organizations, and 5 day camps as tobacco-free zones.
WHO SUPPORTS STEPS:
The Steps to a Healthier Rockland Collaborative with its 200 plus members is integral to the success of efforts in Rockland County to reduce the burden of chronic disease. Meeting quarterly and implementing wellness initiatives throughout Rockland on an ongoing basis, the Steps program strives to be “Everywhere in Your Neighborhood”. With a wide array of community partnerships including non-traditional public health partners including restaurants, parks and recreation departments, and academic institutions the Steps program has leveraged community leaders to infuse wellness and disease prevention into everyday living.
BE A VOICE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY:
Send an email or a letter to your elected representative on the local, state and federal level
Members of the Rockland County Legislature:
DISTRICT 1 DOUGLAS J. JOBSON
DISTRICT 2 MICHAEL M. GRANT
DISTRICT 3 JAY HOOD JR.
DISTRICT 4 ILAN S. SCHOENBERGER
DISTRICT 5 EDWIN J. DAY
DISTRICT 6 ALDEN H. WOLFE
DISTRICT 7 PHILIP SOSKIN
DISTRICT 8 TONEY L. EARL
DISTRICT 9 GEROLD M. BIERKER
DISTRICT 10 HARRIET D. CORNELL
DISTRICT 11 FRANK SPARACO
DISTRICT 12 JOSEPH L. MEYERS
DISTRICT 13 JACQUES O. D'I MICHEL
DISTRICT 14 ROBERT D. JACKSON
DISTRICT 15 PATRICK J. MORONEY
DISTRICT 16 JOHN A. MURPHY
DISTRICT 17 CONNIE L. COKER
Address:
ROCKLAND COUNTY LEGISLATURE
11 NEW HEMPSTEAD ROAD, NEW CITY, NY 10956
New York State Senator:
District 38 (All of Rockland County)
Hon. David Carlucci, Independent Democratic Conference
New York State Senator
95 South Middletown Road
Nanuet, NY 10954
http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/david-carlucci/contact
Legislative Office Building Room 848
Albany, NY 12247
Members of the New York State Assembly:
District 94 (All of Clarkstown, Haverstraw and 12 Election districts in Ramapo)
Hon. Kenneth Zebrowski, Democratic
New York State Assemblyman
67 North Main Street
New City, NY 10956
845-634-9791
fax: 845-634-1091
zebrowk@assembly.state.ny.us
Legislative Office Building Room 631
Albany, NY 12248
District 95 (52 Election districts in Ramapo)
Hon. Ellen C. Jaffee, Democratic
New York State Assemblywoman
Friends of Ellen Jaffee
16 Lancaster Drive
Suffern, NY 10901
845-624-4601
Fax: 845-624-2911
JaffeeE@assembly.state.ny.us
Legislative Office Building Room 530
Albany, NY 12248
District 96 (All of Stony Point)
Hon. Nancy Calhoun, Republican, Conservative
New York State Assemblywoman
1002 World Tradeway
Steward International Airport
New Windsor, NY 12550
845-564-1330
Fax: 845-564-1347
calhoun@assembly.state.ny.us
Legislative Office Building Room 525
Albany, NY 12248
District 97 (15 Election districts in Ramapo)
Hon. Ann G. Rabbitt, Republican, Independence, Conservative
New York State Assemblywoman
41 High Street
Goshen, NY 10924
845-291-3631
Fax: 845-291-0992
rabbita@assembly.state.ny.us
Legislative Office Building Room 719
Albany, NY 12248
Members of the United States Senate:
Senator Charles E. Schumer
One Park Place, Suite 100
Peekskill, NY 10566
Phone: 914-734-1532
Fax: 914-734-1673
http://schumer.senate.gov/
Senator Kristen E. Gillibrand
531 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4451
http://gillibrand.senate.gov/
Member of the United States Congress:
17th Congressional District (All of Orangetown, All of Ramapo, 37 Districts in Clarkstown)
Hon. Eliot Engel
Congressman
261 West Nyack Road
West Nyack, NY 10994
845-735-1000
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
18th Congressional District (40 Districts in Clarkstown, 17 Districts in Haverstraw)
Hon. Nita M. Lowey
Congresswoman
222 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605
845-639-3485
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
19th Congressional District (All of Stony Point, 11 Districts in Haverstraw)
Hon. Nan Hayworth
Congresswoman
255 Main St., Suite 3232G
Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 291-4100
Fax: (845) 291-4164
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
TO GET INVOLVED CONTACT:
Steps to a Healthier Rockland County
Rockland County Department of Health
50 Sanatorium Road, Building J
Pomona, NY 10970
Phone: 845-364-2500
Fax: 845-364-3837
Email: steps@co.rockland.ny.us
