WVDHHR > Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease

Sodium Reduction Resources for Communities and Worksites

Thank you for all you are doing to build healthier communities and worksites. Together, we’re creating healthier employees and families, but we need your help to do more!

Our goals are to decrease obesity and improve rates of chronic disease for all West Virginians. One of the ways we do this is through a CDC Grant addressing obesity, school health, diabetes, high blood pressure and related chronic diseases. Strategies within this grant include promoting the adoption of physical activity and implementing nutrition standards in worksites.

For many, excess sodium is a hidden obstacle to a healthy diet. The average West Virginia diet has more than twice the recommended sodium intake to maintain a healthy blood pressure (American Heart Association). The well@work West Virginia Healthy Worksite Initiative seeks to raise awareness of sodium intake and excess sodium’s impact on health.

We invite you to use the resources on this page to help reduce sodium use in your worksite. For more information, please contact Dasheema Jarrett, or call 304-356-4216.

About Salt and Sodium

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt.
The words salt and sodium are not exactly the same, yet these words are often used in place of each other. For example, the Nutrition Facts Panel uses “sodium,” whereas the front of the package may say “low salt.”
Ninety percent of the sodium we consume is in the form of salt.
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day as part of a healthy eating pattern. If you have a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure, talk with your health care provider about what is right for you.
Research shows a strong relationship between salt intake and high blood pressure.
When salt intake is reduced, blood pressure begins to decrease within a few weeks.
Populations consuming diets low in salt do not experience the increased rate of high blood pressure with age.

Sodium: The Facts--CDC Fact Sheet

Fact Sheets and Additional Resources

Sodium Reduction Calendar This monthly sodium reduction calendar was developed in 2017 and contains ready-made sodium reduction infographics and resources for educating and promoting sodium reduction in your community or worksite.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium

Sodium Reduction in Communities

Sodium Reduction Resources for Everyone

Reducing Sodium Makes Cents (Making the Business Case for Sodium Reduction Savings)

Sodium Reduction for Worksites

American Heart Association (AHA)

Check. Change. Control. Community Partner Resources

Food and Beverage Toolkit

Health and Wellness Calendar (Creating a Culture of Health Year Round)

Salt and Sodium

Sodium Reduction Resources

Sodium Tracker

Sodium Reduction Media Toolkit

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)

Sodium Reduction Resources

Additional Resources