WalkBoston is working with the Boston Public Health Commission to implement a five-year program called STEPS to Good Health. The STEPS program is a community mobilization effort to improve the health of residents living in seven Boston neighborhoods: Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, South Boston, Jamaica Plain, Chinatown/South End.

Through the STEPS program, the Public Health Commission is undertaking initiatives to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and reduce the incidence of asthma for project area residents. To achieve these goals, a consortium of nearly 100 community- and faith-based organizations, government agencies, businesses, health centers and hospitals, and academic institutions has been formed. The STEPS program is funded though the Centers for Disease Control, and Boston is one of twenty communities to receive funding for this five-year program, now in its second year.

Through the Walkable Neighborhoods Program, WalkBoston is working with neighborhood activists to conduct walking audits in order to identify crosswalks that need painting, signal lights that should be re-timed and sidewalks that need repair. Neighborhood residents also want to see more trash picked up and attractive plantings along sidewalks. When the walking audits are completed they will be presented to the City so various departments can undertake suggested improvements. Research has shown that when environments are walkable, more people will walk.

WalkBoston is also conducting a Safe Routes to School programs at two schools: the Hurley Elementary School in the South End and the Mason School in Roxbury. At these schools children are being encouraged to walk to school through informal walking groups, pedometer programs and walking contests. Next year, WalkBoston will work with two additional schools, yet to be identified.