Walk with a Doc event encourages good health

The Rural Health Council encourages residents to take a step towards better health this Saturday.

Madison County Rural Health Council is encouraging residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc ( WWAD), a health program that brings doctors, patients and community members together to walk once a month in locations throughout the county.

The next walk will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 1011 a.m. on the Oneida Rail Trail “Monday Mile” on Seneca Street in Oneida ( beside the Oneida High School) with Dr. Daniel Ratnarajah from the MDVIP-affiliated Primary Care Practice in Oneida. This event is free and preregistration is not required. All are welcome.

This will be Ratnarajah’s third walk and he believes “happiness based on happenings is shortlived. Happiness based on habits is long-lasting. So, let’s make a habit of walking regularly.” Ratnarajah and other community members will teach the “seven supplements to boost your health” during the one-mile walk.

Walk with a Doc is a national non-profit organization created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist with Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio. He has walked with patients and communitymembers every weekend since 2005. The mission of WWAD is to encourage healthy

physical activity in people of all ages and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve the health and well-being of the country. The Madison County Rural Health Council is dedicated to promoting the WWAD program and its mission in Madison County.

According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following benefits:

• Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels

• Helpmaintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity

• Enhance mental wellbeing

• Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

PHOTO COURTESY MADISON COUNTY RURAL HEALTH COUNCIL The Walk With a Doc walking health program is held once a month throughout Madison County.