Lessons learned from community-based approaches to sodium reduction

This article describes lessons from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative encompassing sodium reduction interventions in six communities.

A multiple case study design was used.

This evaluation examined data from programs implemented in six communities located in New York (Broome County, Schenectady County, and New York City); California (Los Angeles County and Shasta County); and Kansas (Shawnee County).

Participants (n = 80) included program staff, program directors, state-level staff, and partners.

Measures for this evaluation included challenges, facilitators, and lessons learned from implementing sodium reduction strategies.

The project team conducted a document review of program materials and semistructured interviews 12 to 14 months after implementation. The team coded and analyzed data deductively and inductively.

Five lessons for implementing community-based sodium reduction approaches emerged: (1) build relationships with partners to understand their concerns, (2) involve individuals knowledgeable about specific venues early, (3) incorporate sodium reduction efforts and messaging into broader nutrition efforts, (4) design the program to reduce sodium gradually to take into account consumer preferences and taste transitions, and (5) identify ways to address the cost of lower-sodium products.

The experiences of the six communities may assist practitioners in planning community-based sodium reduction interventions. Addressing sodium reduction using a community-based approach can foster meaningful change in dietary sodium consumption.