Chronic disease prevention in Laredo, Texas.

The Laredo-Webb County Health Department began planning a health promotion program for the prevention of chronic diseases during the late 1970s. After receiving a 4-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Department initiated the program in 1983 by conducting an epidemiologic survey in Laredo, Texas, to determine the major risk factors for chronic disease. A comprehensive health education program was then initiated to reduce the prevalence of these factors in targeted low-income neighborhoods. Health information was disseminated among the population in small neighborhood groups using a variety of techniques to promote favorable changes in health behavior. An evaluation of the program in one neighborhood 1 year later showed an overall reduction in health risk practices of approximately 10%.