Adoption of sodium reduction strategies in small and rural hospitals, Illinois, 2012

Abstract

Sodium reduction strategies on a population-based level are promoted as a public health intervention. Small and rural hospitals in Illinois were funded to adopt sodium reduction strategies as an intervention, have their hospital cafeteria and vending machines assessed via an environmental scan, and participate in an evaluation. Intervention strategies to identify and to label lower-sodium foods were implemented most, and pricing strategies were implemented least among funded hospitals. The sodium reduction strategies implemented could be replicated in other small and rural hospitals, because they were done with minimal funding and with minimal barriers.