KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - You can be healthier by adding exercise such as walking to your day. To illustrate that point, hundreds of King County employees and community partners are walking the talk of active living during national Public Health Week, which starts April 3rd.
Across King County, Public Health employees will be joined by their colleagues from King County government and community partners in taking walks for their own good health and to promote physical activity.
"Sometimes the simplest things give the greatest pleasure and benefit, and that's the truth for walking," said King County Executive Ron Sims, who will host a walk with King County employees on Wednesday, April 5th of Public Health Week. "More of our employees are discovering the active lifestyle as a great way to get healthier and feel better."
Greater physical activity also supports the goals of the King County Health Initiative in cutting medical costs through improving the health of King County employees. "Nearly 18,000 King County employees and their spouses or domestic partners are committing to exercise more, eat better and manage chronic diseases, which are all pillars of our Health Initiative effort," said Executive Sims.
Bringing healthy lifestyles within the reach of more people and local communities, the King County Overweight Prevention Initiative is advancing a 10-point action plan that includes the promotion of physical activity, such as walking, as well as promoting nutrition and designing communities for active living. This work is sponsored by the King County Board of Health, the University of Washington Exploratory Center for Obesity Research and Center for Public Health Nutrition, and Public Health - Seattle & King County.
"King County faces an obesity epidemic, and regular exercise is part of the solution," said Julia Patterson, Chair of the King County Board of Health, who will host a walk with employees on Tuesday, April 4th of Public Health Week. "Walking helps control weight and stress levels and it really does make a healthy difference."
"People want places close to work, home and school where they can walk safely," said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. "Locally, we're seeing exciting progress among planners, developers and community leaders to increase opportunities for active living."
While walking is an easy and enjoyable way to exercise, it is important to remember to do it safely. Walkers should walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. Only cross at crosswalks, and consider wearing reflective clothing if walking at night.
Pedestrian advocates have tips for drivers, including:
- Give priority to pedestrians, even at unmarked crosswalks
- Always stop at least 30 feet before the crosswalk
- Enforce the speed limit by setting the pace for other cars
- Walk the short trips between destinations
- Park properly and don't block crosswalks
Additional tips may be found at the Feet First website.
For Public Health Week tips on moving more, eating healthier and making local neighborhoods healthier places to be, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/phweek
To learn more about King County's Health Reform Initiative, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/exec
For more information on the King County Overweight Prevention Initiative, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/overweight.
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.
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