BC's doctors and patients walk together to promote physical activity

From prescribing exercise to walking with patients, BC’s doctors are changing the way we view “medicine”.

VANCOUVER – Almost 300 doctors and 3,000 patients in communities around BC will be taking part in the fifth annual Walk with Your Doc campaign from May 3rd - 11th to promote the health benefits of daily activity.

The health benefits of daily physical activity such as walking are huge. It decreases risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes and improves quality of life.

“As doctors, we are committed to supporting our patients to be the healthiest they can be,” says Dr William Cunningham, President of Doctors of BC. “We are not just ‘talking the talk’, we are ‘walking the talk’ with patients."

A total of 53 walks are taking place in 35 communities around the province. The first takes place in Vancouver on Saturday, May 3rd, at 10 am at Kitsilano Beach.

Physician, health columnist, and leading advocate for living a healthy life, Dr Davidicus Wong is emceeing the Vancouver event. He and other doctors around the province are also prescribing exercise to patients through Rx for Health prescription pads developed by Doctors of BC.

“I specify the intensity and duration in the prescription, then follow-up on their progress,” says Dr Wong. “Once the training wheels are off, patients are self-motivated and self-sustaining in their new healthier lifestyle. Being more active becomes a habit.”

In addition to the prescription pads, there are other new elements to the walk this year. A total of 15 Divisions of Family Practice - double the number last year - are hosting large public walks in rural and urban communities, including Campbell River, Chilliwack, Shuswap, and the Kootenay region, so that entire communities can take steps together towards a healthier lifestyle. 

And for the first time, the First Nations Health Authority has also joined Walk with your Doc to promote daily activity and preventative health on five reserves, including Alexis Creek, Ashcroft and KitKatla.

Being active is the most important aspect of maintaining good health, yet data shows only 15% of adults meet the Canadian health guidelines of 150 minutes per week of physical activity. Since 2010 Walk with your Doc has helped physicians promote the medical benefits of walking to their patients.

Walk with your Doc coincides with the World Health Organization’s Move for Health Day (May 10), a global event that encourages communities to get active and moving. Doctors of BC is formerly the BC Medical Association.

How to find walks in your area:

Vancouver walk

Around the province:

Go to www.walkwithyourdoc.ca and click on the drop down menu under the heading “Find a walk in your community”.

- 30 -

For more information:
Sharon Shore, Communications & Media Relations
604-638-2832  604-306-1866 (pager)