May 14, 2021
NORTON, Kan. – Norton County Hospital and Norton Medical Clinic are encouraging area 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 first Tuesday of the month at noon at the USD 211 track.
The first event is scheduled for June 1, and it will be led by Dr. Glenda Maurer, MD. She plans to lead a discussion on the benefits of exercise during this first walk of the series.
Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. 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 a health care professional, who will provide support to participants and answer questions about exercise and nutrition during the Walk. Prizes will be presented to participants periodically at the walks as well!
Walk with a Doc is made possible in Norton by Norton County Hospital and Norton Medical Clinic staff, the Kansas Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative and the international Walk with a Doc organization.
Why walk?
Increasing exercise, even moderately, may help reduce the risks of many diseases, including coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adding 10 minutes of physical activity a day, such as from walking, is a small change that can make a big difference.
The CDC estimates about 80 percent of premature cases of heart disease and stroke are preventable and encourages changes like stepping up physical activity and 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.
Norton joins a growing list of communities worldwide that have started local Walk with a Doc programs. WWAD was started by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. He has walked with patients and community members every weekend since 2005.
Learn more about Walk with a Doc at www.walkwithadoc.org. If you have questions about Walk with a Doc in Norton, contact Norton Medical Clinic Director Avery Aiken at aaiken@ntcohosp.com or 785-877-3305. On the chance of inclement weather during a scheduled walk day, watch the Norton County Hospital Facebook page for updates.
###
WWAD contributed to the content of this news release.