Walking is one of the simplest, yet most effective exercises anyone can do. Just thirty minutes a day can help lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol, and help people lose weight. With this in mind, the American Heart Association is excited to partner with the Elk River Trail Foundation to bring the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) “Active People, Healthy Nation” initiative to the region.
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Mayors Kay Summers (Clendenin), J.D. Hoover (Sutton), Josh Shamblin (Clay), and Richie Roach (Gassaway) joined together to sign a proclamation showing their support for creating activity-friendly communities at the Dundon Trail Head in Clay County. They were joined by Julie Warden, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, and Ken Tawney, President of the Elk River Trail Foundation.
”Active People, Healthy Nation” is a national initiative led by the CDC to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. Increased physical activity can improve health, quality of life, and reduce health care costs. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of at least twenty chronic diseases and conditions and provide effective treatment for many of these conditions. Other potential benefits include better school performance and improved military readiness. Building active and walkable communities can help support local economies, result in less air pollution, and create more cohesive communities.
“A primary mission at the Elk River Trail Foundation is to preserve, protect, and enhance the Elk River rail and water trails for community health and well-being,” said Ken Tawney, President of the Elk River Trail Foundation. “We are excited to work with the American Heart Association and Town Leaders to encourage our communities to get active, especially along the Elk River Trail.”
For more information on “Active People, Healthy Nation” visit https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation/about-active-people-healthy-nation.html
For more information on the Elk River Trail, visit: https://elkrivertrail.org/
