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Federal Occupational Health hosts 2010 National Walk @ Lunch Day in Washington, D.C.
More than 1,900 Health and Human Services (HHS) employees laced up their walking shoes and met outside of the HHS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 to participate in National Walk@Lunch Day (NW@LD). This is the fourth year that Federal Occupational Health (FOH) and BlueCross/BlueShield Association co-sponsored NW@LD for the D.C. Metro area. Since most Federal workers spend more time at work than anywhere else, turning a working lunch into a walking lunch is the goal of NW@L. This event held in the Nation’s capital coincided with lunchtime walks in all fifty states and Puerto Rico on this day.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, as the keynote speaker for this health event, demonstrated her commitment to encourage Americans to adopt healthy habits by leading the walk. Notably, Secretary Sebelius marked her one year anniversary as the nation’s leader for health on this day. FOH Director, Dr. Gene Migliaccio acted as Master of Ceremonies for the gathering. Other health leaders addressing the walkers included: Assistant Secretary for Administration Ned Holland; Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh; Executive Director for the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, Shellie Pfohl; United States Representative Loretta Sanchez; Blue Cross Blue Shield President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Serota; CareFirst Medical Director Dr. Malcolm Joseph; and Olympic Bronze Medalist in Bobsledding, Sergeant (U.S. Army) Mike Kohn.
Following the remarks, participants eagerly demonstrated how easy it is to fit physical activity into your work day by walking a mile around the National Mall. When returning to the Humphrey Building, walkers received a Walking Works® kit, which included a t-shirt, pedometer and wrist wallet.
“We want to support healthy lifestyles for our Federal employees, and there’s no better, more cost-effective way to achieve fitness than walking several times a week,” noted FOH Director Dr. Migliaccio. Dr. Migliaccio oversees FedStrive, a comprehensive worksite health and wellness initiative for the Federal employees at the Southwest Complex (Humphrey, Cohen, Switzer Buildings and Patriots Plaza) in Washington, D.C. FedStrive empowers employees to make small steps to improve their health. The NW@LD event also supports this health and wellness initiative as well as the overall FOH mission—to improve the health, safety and productivity of the Federal workforce.
Regular, brisk walking is one of the simplest and safest forms of physical exercise. By incorporating a 30-minute walk into a work day, heart disease and diabetes risk can be reduced and a healthy weight maintained. Next year’s NW@LD walk is scheduled for April 27, 2011. Until then, take steps to a healthier you by planning “walking lunches” for yourself throughout the year.
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