Surgeon General Issues a Call to Action on Walking
The announcement discusses the benefits of walking while also addressing limitations for some civilians.
According to a news release from HHS, the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a call to action regarding heart disease and diabetes, and how walking can help combat those illnesses. The call to action also addresses the lack of convenient walking solutions for individuals.
"Everyone deserves to have a safe place to walk or wheelchair roll. But in too many of our communities, that is not the reality," said Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th U.S. surgeon general. "We know that an active lifestyle is critical to achieving good overall health. And walking is a simple, effective and affordable way to build physical activity into our lives. That is why we need to step it up as a country ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities."
The release cites a 2013 DOT study that found three out of every 10 Americans reported that no sidewalks existed in their neighborhood. Community planners and local leaders have been called on to create more walkable areas, as well as develop safe routes for children to get to and from schools.