Article Type
Changed
Mon, 05/01/2017 - 14:10
Display Headline
Walking to Wellness—Safely
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority.

Many people like to walk—and it’s often touted as one of the easiest forms of physical activity—but they don’t always have a safe place to do it. That’s why U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy says “we need to step it up as a country, ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities.”

Related: Can Neighborhoods Make People Gain Weight?

Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities addresses the fact that many communities lack safe and convenient places for people to walk or wheelchair roll. That’s unacceptable, Dr. Murthy charges. He points to a 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation study that found 3 of every 10 Americans report that their neighborhood streets have no sidewalks. Moreover, in many communities, violence, or the perception of violence can prove a barrier to walking.

Related: Weight Loss Promotes Nonbariatric Surgery Medical Clearance

Dr. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority. His call to action includes designing more sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, safe crossings for the visually impaired, and more green spaces. He also calls on city managers, law enforcement, and public health leaders to devise ways to better maintain public spaces, work with residents to promote shared community ownership, improve street lighting, and encourage neighborhood watch programs.

Related: A Call to Action: Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Against Diabesity

“We know that an average of 22 minutes a day of physical activity—such as brisk walking—can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes,” Dr. Murthy said. “The key is to get started, because even a small first effort can make a big difference in improving the personal health of an individual and the public health of the nation.”

Visit http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/walking-and-walkable-communities/index.html for more information about promoting walkable communities—and for the Surgeon General’s walking playlist on Pandora.

Issue
Federal Practitioner - 32(10)
Publications
Page Number
e19
Legacy Keywords
physical activity, exercise, Surgeon General Vivek H Murthy
Sections
Related Articles
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority.

Many people like to walk—and it’s often touted as one of the easiest forms of physical activity—but they don’t always have a safe place to do it. That’s why U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy says “we need to step it up as a country, ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities.”

Related: Can Neighborhoods Make People Gain Weight?

Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities addresses the fact that many communities lack safe and convenient places for people to walk or wheelchair roll. That’s unacceptable, Dr. Murthy charges. He points to a 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation study that found 3 of every 10 Americans report that their neighborhood streets have no sidewalks. Moreover, in many communities, violence, or the perception of violence can prove a barrier to walking.

Related: Weight Loss Promotes Nonbariatric Surgery Medical Clearance

Dr. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority. His call to action includes designing more sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, safe crossings for the visually impaired, and more green spaces. He also calls on city managers, law enforcement, and public health leaders to devise ways to better maintain public spaces, work with residents to promote shared community ownership, improve street lighting, and encourage neighborhood watch programs.

Related: A Call to Action: Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Against Diabesity

“We know that an average of 22 minutes a day of physical activity—such as brisk walking—can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes,” Dr. Murthy said. “The key is to get started, because even a small first effort can make a big difference in improving the personal health of an individual and the public health of the nation.”

Visit http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/walking-and-walkable-communities/index.html for more information about promoting walkable communities—and for the Surgeon General’s walking playlist on Pandora.

Many people like to walk—and it’s often touted as one of the easiest forms of physical activity—but they don’t always have a safe place to do it. That’s why U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy says “we need to step it up as a country, ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities.”

Related: Can Neighborhoods Make People Gain Weight?

Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities addresses the fact that many communities lack safe and convenient places for people to walk or wheelchair roll. That’s unacceptable, Dr. Murthy charges. He points to a 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation study that found 3 of every 10 Americans report that their neighborhood streets have no sidewalks. Moreover, in many communities, violence, or the perception of violence can prove a barrier to walking.

Related: Weight Loss Promotes Nonbariatric Surgery Medical Clearance

Dr. Murthy is challenging civic planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to make safe routes for children going to and from school a priority. His call to action includes designing more sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, safe crossings for the visually impaired, and more green spaces. He also calls on city managers, law enforcement, and public health leaders to devise ways to better maintain public spaces, work with residents to promote shared community ownership, improve street lighting, and encourage neighborhood watch programs.

Related: A Call to Action: Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Against Diabesity

“We know that an average of 22 minutes a day of physical activity—such as brisk walking—can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes,” Dr. Murthy said. “The key is to get started, because even a small first effort can make a big difference in improving the personal health of an individual and the public health of the nation.”

Visit http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/walking-and-walkable-communities/index.html for more information about promoting walkable communities—and for the Surgeon General’s walking playlist on Pandora.

Issue
Federal Practitioner - 32(10)
Issue
Federal Practitioner - 32(10)
Page Number
e19
Page Number
e19
Publications
Publications
Article Type
Display Headline
Walking to Wellness—Safely
Display Headline
Walking to Wellness—Safely
Legacy Keywords
physical activity, exercise, Surgeon General Vivek H Murthy
Legacy Keywords
physical activity, exercise, Surgeon General Vivek H Murthy
Sections
Disallow All Ads
Alternative CME