Last December 5th, more than 140 leaders from the health, business, education, transportation, environmental and government sectors came together at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health to discuss the need to get America moving. A highlight of that December convening was a visit by the U.S. Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, who seized the moment to announce that she would issue a “Call to Action on Walking” aimed at encouraging Americans to improve their health by walking more. The convening and the Surgeon General’s announcement have helped fuel the national movement for walking.
Fast forward to March 4, 2013.
The national walking movement received its next infusion of energy when a panel of experts from across the sectors gathered again at the Center for Total Health to discuss Dr. Benjamin’s proposed Call to Action, further build out the case for walking and walkability, and shape a series of mobilization actions aimed at engaging all Americans in more walking and physical activity.
The day’s events featured extensive dialogue on how to build and revitalize communities in ways that encourage walking and support place-making and economic development. The participants walked the talk by having a walking meeting on the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., that completed with a follow-up visit by the Surgeon General to hear the group’s plans and provide additional ideas for its success.
“We were inspired by the many ideas and contributions that were generated from our “March Forth” gathering that will help us to better act on our mission for walking and walkability,” said Tyler Norris, vice president for total health partnerships at Kaiser Permanente. “This is a movement that can contribute to the vitality of people and places, as well as support cost containment and national prosperity. We are taking good care to thoughtfully and purposefully engage our many stakeholders and the general public as we advance the walking movement.”
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Call to Action public commenting period: As with any Call to Action issued from the Surgeon General’s office, the “Call to Action on Walking” offers an opportunity for the general public to provide input and commentary during a 30-day time frame, currently slated for April 1-30, 2013. Stay tuned for more details on where to go to provide your input.
- Get out there and walk with the Every Body Walk! App: The March 4th meeting also marked the launch of the new and improved Every Body Walk! mobile app. The updated app features a new user-friendly design, streamlined functionalities and the ability to share walks on social media. The app is aimed at encouraging everyone to get up on their feet and walk—30 minutes a day, five days a week. (60 minutes or more every day for kids.)
- The first national Walking Summit: October 1-3, 2013, Kaiser Permanente and the Every Body Walk! Collaborative will host the nation’s first walking summit, bringing together leaders and advocates from across the sectors and all walks of life to further catalyze the walking movement, engaging others to walk more and support walkable communities. More information to come as planning is underway.
