How to Start a Program in Your Community

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Webinar StructureModeratorWebinar recording will be available + slide

deckAll attendees will be mutedPlease use question + chat featureQ&A session

SpeakersCarol A. Lee – President & CEO, California Medical

Association FoundationKathryn Stephens– Executive Director, Walk with a

Doc Sandra Robinson – Vice President of Programs,

California Medical Association FoundationKris Wallach – Program Director, Sierra Sacramento

Valley Medical SocietyPenny Figas – Executive Director, Humboldt Del-

Norte County Medical SocietySandi Palumbo – Executive Director, Fresno-Madera

Medical Society & Kern County Medical Society

AgendaThe California Medical Association

Foundation’s WWAD Program WWAD History & IntroductionHow to Start a Program in your Community Best Practices: Testimonies of Successful

ProgramsQ&A Session

The California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation’s mission is to improve individual and community health through partnerships. For 50 years, much of what we have focused on is bringing greater awareness and education around serious public health issues, like obesity.

The CMA Foundation’s Obesity Prevention Project Purpose: reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in

children and their families. Physicians play a key role in reversing this trend and ensuring

that California’s children have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives.

Nearly 90 percent of Californians surveyed in a 2012 Field Research Poll indicated that they wanted to hear from their physicians about issues related to overweight and obesity.

Lifestyle, environmental, and policy interventions that promote healthy eating and increased physical activity can significantly impact obesity and the risk for chronic disease.

Utilizing Our Docs for a ‘Walk with a Doc’The CMA Foundation is spearheading a “Walk with a Doc”

program throughout California.The program utilizes physicians’ expertise and credibility to

enact lifestyle changes and increase participation in walk events.

The program allows individuals to share the activity with friends and family.

This program has lead to the collaboration with local physicians and medical societies to organize FREE 1-hour walks on Saturdays at local parks.

Our goal is to continue to recruit physician volunteers as walk leaders and organizers in their communities.

Walk with a Doc is supported in California by Anthem Blue Cross Foundation.

WWAD History & Introduction

What is the WWAD Program? Created by Dr. David Sabgir,

a board-certified cardiologist who practices in Ohio.

"JustWalk" is a free, non-profit program for anyone interested in taking steps for their health.

Walks are held on Saturdays lasting about an hour each and starts with a physician giving a quick 5-10 minute talk.

'Walk with a Doc’ strives 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.  

Why Start a WWAD Program:Physical Inactivity

Overweight and obesity are influenced by physical inactivity and poor diet.

Physical inactivity increases one’s risk for dying prematurely, dying of heart disease, and developing diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.1

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008. 

ChildrenAdults Children generally walk much

less than they did a decade ago.

Participation in physical activity declines as young people age.1

• The percentage of adults who engaged in physical activity declined steadily with age.

1. CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2011. MMWR 2012;61(SS-4).

Sedentary lifestyles increase health risks as your patients grow older.

Data source: CDC/NCHS, National Institute Health Survey, 2005-2007

Why Start a WWAD Program:Decline in Physical Activity

Walking as little as 30 minutes a day can have the following benefits: Reduce the risk of coronary

heart disease Improve blood pressure and

blood sugar levels Maintain body weight and lower

the risk of obesity Enhance mental well-being Improve blood lipid profile Reduce the risk of osteoporosis Reduce the risk of breast and

colon cancer Reduce the risk of type 2

diabetes

Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to exercise!

Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can ease you into a higher level of fitness and health. Walking is a form of exercise accessible to just about everybody. It's safe, simple and doesn't require practice.

Benefits of Walking

Benefits of the ProgramEncourages healthy physical activity in people of all agesOpportunity to connect with patientsMotivation to get activeConnecting with other walkersEasy and fun way to get or stay fit

100

What 1 hour each week can doDramatically alter your

patients lives by replacing a sedentary behavior with a healthy, active one.

A 3-5 minute informational talk can educate your patients on exercise, nutrition and health.

Immediately become recognized as a community leader and impact your community in a positive, life-changing way.

How to Start a Program in your Community

How the Program WorksPersonnel Ratio

1 Doc + 2 Assistants

100Can service walkers

Getting Started

Start with your staff and patients. You will get exponential growth.

It’s easy to develop a “community”, email addresses allow for quick communication within your group.

Establish and secure a meeting place and a walking site. Spread the word! It will catch on fast.

Get a Doc, a helper…We can help!

Find a park…We can help!

Get some walkers…We can help!

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Steps to Success The Doc makes a short

presentation on choice of topic Everyone walks at their own

pace (we encourage 30-45 minutes)

Option to provide water and a healthy snack

Pick a location that is right for you. There’s walk programs in the Rocky Mountains, city streets, beaches, community parks and even shopping malls.

Always have a healthcare professional volunteer on hand

Always be open to the public

Always emphasize FREE

“Walking is a simple and effective way to improve your fitness level and health…Walk with a Doc creates a community and support structure for those interested in taking the first step toward improved health. Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is proud to support this program and we applaud everyone who took part in today’s event.”

- Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross

“Walk with a Doc highlights how important community, education and physical activity are to reducing obesity and heart disease in California…these walks are a great chance for physicians and community members to stretch their legs, get their hearts pumping and discuss healthy living. I just hope I can keep up with patients from my pediatrics practice!”

- Dr. Richard Pan, Chair of the California Assembly Committee on Health

Best Practices

Humboldt Del Norte County Medical Society

How to recruit physician walkers and build your team

How to recruit physician walkers and build your team

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society

How to work with your Park District

Fresno Madera Medical Society/Kern County Medical Society

How to market your walks

Any other key pointers…

We’re here to helpOrganization is key. We’ve assembled a “Starting Kit” for those interested in starting a walk. Each kit includes:

Contact us:

How-to Get Started Guide Prescription pads Waiver & Release of

Liability Flyers to recruit walkers

and volunteers Article for media outreach

Carol A. Lee, Esq. | CMA Foundation President & CEOp: 916.779.6622 | e: clee@thecmafoundation.org

Sandra Robinson, MBA| CMA Foundation Vice President, Programsp: 916.779.6624 | e:

srobinson@thecmafoundation.org

Vanessa S. Saetern | CMA Foundation Project Coordinator, Obesity Prevention

Projectp: 916.779.6631 | e:

vsaetern@thecmafoundation.org

Leslie Barron| CMA Foundation Project Assistant, Obesity Prevention Projectp: 916.779.6630 | e:

lbarron@thecmafoundation.org