Steps to a HealthierUS (Steps) is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that advances the goal of helping Americans live longer, better and healthier lives.

Recognizing that small changes over time can yield dramatic results, the Steps Initiative is designed to identify and promote efforts that encourage people to make small behavior changes to reduce the burden of some of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma and cancer.

A centerpiece of this initiative is the 5-year Steps Cooperative Agreement Program (Steps Program). Through this program, states, cities and tribal entities receive funds to implement chronic disease prevention efforts focused on reducing the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma, and addressing three related risk behaviors – physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use.

Since 2003, the Steps Program has allocated $49.4 million to 40 communities across the country, including large and small cities, tribes, states and rural communities. These 40 funded Steps communities are implementing local action plans to reduce health disparities and promote quality health care and prevention services – all towards the goal of a healthier America.

To find out more, please visit www.cdc.gov/steps.