Today, April 2nd, is National Walking Day, a movement sponsored
by the American Heart Association (AHA) aimed at getting people up and moving
throughout the day. The reason couldn’t be more important since one out of
every two men and one in every three women are at risk for heart disease, which
is still the No. 1 killer in the United States. Walking is a no cost,
convenient, and low impact form of exercise and just 30 minutes a day can help
reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues such obesity,
stroke and type-2 diabetes. Walking is also a great way to spend time with
family and friends and increase people’s
involvement in their community.
But did you know that about one
in four Missourians do not spend any time being physically active? Unfortunately,
for many people, it is difficult to take advantage of walking’s benefits
because they live in communities where they do not have safe, easy access to
places to walk and be physically active. The benefits of designing and building
communities where people of all ages and abilities can get around easily and
safely extend beyond improving citizen’s health and well-being. These changes
can also improve the physical and economic development of communities. In
a recent study of 23 Missouri communities with Livable or Complete Streets
policies, community leaders reported increases in bicycling, walking, and
trail system use; physical improvements to their community; and greater
economic development.
Celebrate your reasons to walk today, and every day, with these
tips from the American Heart Association, and learn more about creating
walkable communities at http://livablestreets.missouri.edu/
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