PLAINVILLE — Rooks County Health Center is encouraging local residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk every second Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m. on the track at the Plainville football field.
Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. Walk with a Doc promotes physical activity and stepping up awareness about healthy eating to help improve the heart health of the nation.
“This program has demonstrated good success in hundreds of places across the United States.” said Dr. Jen Brull of Post Rock Family Medicine. “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting program to Rooks County and help our county reap the benefits.”
The Walk is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with Dr.Brull and other healthcare professionals, who will provide support to participants and answer questions about exercise and nutrition during the Walk.
“Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with Rooks County Health Center. By incorporating this program into the practice, RCH is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc. “Adding ten minutes of walking to your daily routine and swapping out bad fats with good fats at mealtime are examples of small, easy changes that can make a big difference in the health of your heart"
“Increasing exercise, even moderately, may help reduce the risks of many diseases, including coronary artery disease and diabetes,” said Dr. Brull. “Adding physical activity like walking to your day is a small change that can make a big difference. We are excited to join Walk with a Doc and help our community more easily find opportunities for physical activity.”
The CDC estimates about 80 percent of premature cases of heart disease and stroke are preventable and encourages changes like stepping up physical activity or eating a heart healthy diet. Further, the American Heart Association estimates that if Americans ate the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, nearly 40,000 deaths would be prevented from cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes each year.
Plainville joins a growing list of communities worldwide that have started local Walk with a Doc (WWAD) programs. WWAD was started by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, OH. He has walked with patients and community members every weekend since 2005.
Learn more about Walk with a Doc at www.walkwithadoc.org.
— Submitted