Breadcrumbs
Campaign To Get England Walking Gains GP Support - 8 November 2003
[Photo call: Dr John Reid MP, Secretary of State for Health,
Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director, The British Heart
Foundation and Tracey Slaven, Director, Countryside Agency will
launch the scheme opposite the Cabinet War Rooms in St James Park
at 9:00am on Friday 7 November 2003.]
A nationwide initiative to get the public walking is stepping up a gear with the launch of a new campaign to enable GPs to loan Step-O-Meters “on prescription”.
The ‘Walking the way to Health’ Initiative (WHI) – an ongoing partnership between The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the Countryside Agency – has come up with an innovative way of making the popular, pocket-sized Step-O-Meters available to a wide audience.
The campaign – which is the WHI’s latest plan for tackling low levels of physical activity in England – is targeting areas with a high prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.
The packs – which will be made up of 10 “pill boxes” each containing a Step-O-Meter and directions for use – will be sent to the GP surgeries which Primary Care Trusts feel most need the service.
Front-line healthcare professionals will then be able to “prescribe” them to patients who could benefit from increased levels of exercise for a limited period. When they return the borrowed device, they will be asked to report back on how often they used it and whether it encouraged them to walk more.
Last year, the WHI distributed over 85,000 Step-O-Meters to members of the public who wanted to increase their amount of walking. Experts recommend a target of 10,000 steps a day – although it’s estimated that the average adult only clocks up about 3,000.
Secretary of State for Health, John Reid said:
“We all know that physical activity is good for us and can really make a difference to our health. But for many of us, finding the time and enthusiasm to exercise is not that easy. Over two thirds of adults don’t take enough exercise to benefit their health.
“Tackling coronary heart disease and obesity are government priorities and lack of physical activity is a major contributory factor to both. This scheme is being targeted directly at the people that need it most. We know that with the help and support of their GPs, patients do make changes to their lifestyles which can have long term benefits for their overall health.”
Dr Chris Steele, GP and resident medical expert on ITV’s“This Morning” is also a supporter of the scheme:
“Walking has to be the easiest way to incorporate exercise into your everyday life. It’s enjoyable, relaxing and FREE – and with the introduction of this fantastic new loan scheme, no-one should be excluded from trying out a Step-O-Meter and seeing what a difference it can make.
“Many people think they’re doing more exercise than they actually do - but by using a Step-O-Meter as you go about your daily routine, you can really keep tabs on your activity and start setting yourselves tougher targets.”
The BHF claims that over one third (37 per cent) of deaths from coronary heart disease are due to a lack of physical activity – over two thirds of adults in the UK (68 per cent) don’t take enough exercise to benefit their health.
Recent research – carried out by the WHI – shows that people who used and monitored the use of their Step-O-Meter over a 12 week period increased their walking by more than 1000 steps a day.
The survey also showed that more than half of the people who were previously taking insufficient exercise to benefit their health, had reached the recommended levels of 30 minutes, 5 days a week after using their Step-O-Meter for 3 months.
Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:
“Physical activity can cut the risk of developing CHD by up to half, it can also lower blood pressure, relieve stress and minimise the risk of stroke and diabetes. Currently only 30 per cent of men and 20 per cent of women take enough exercise to keep their hearts healthy.
“Walking is one of the easiest, most convenient and inexpensive forms of exercise. By encouraging people to take more exercise we hope to cut the number of deaths from heart disease.”
The Step-O-Meter campaign is part of the “Walking the Way to Health” Initiative (WHI) which was launched in October 2000 as a five-year programme to get more people walking in their own communities, particularly those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.
Tracey Slaven, Countryside Agency director said:
"By making the Step-O-Meter directly available to patients at no cost, we can get thousands more on their feet and walking their way towards a healthier lifestyle. We want to see more people enjoying and benefiting from the countryside and this is a great opportunity - it's free, local and can have a direct impact on your health and lifestyle. We estimate 40,000 people were encouraged to walk more last year using this scheme - let's hope we see even more this year."
WHI is a joint initiative between The British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency with extra funding from the New Opportunities Fund and sponsorship from Kia Motors.
GPs can get more details of how to obtain a “loan pack” for their surgery by contacting Mitch Counsell at the Countryside Agency on 01242 533303 or visit http://www.whi.org.uk/
Patients should check with their GP to find out if a loan pack is available. Step-O-Meters can also be bought (£9.49 including post and package) from ‘Walking for Workplace Health’ Ltd. See ‘Step-O-Meter’ section of the WHI website, http://www.whi.org.uk/ for order form.
-ends-
For further information or interviews please contact the British Heart Foundation press office on 020 7487 7172 or the Countryside Agency press office on 020 7340 2909/2907
Notes to editors
A Step-O-Meter is a small electronic device which fits on your waistband.
It can:
- Count every step you walk
- Measure distance walked in miles
- Hold a seven day step memory
- Calculate a daily average step count
The ‘Walking the way to Health’ Initiative (WHI) will increase the health and well-being of people who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health, by promoting regular and brisk walking on peoples doorsteps. In particular, it hopes to reduce the rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) which kills more people in England than any other disease. The initiative will support and grant-aid 200 local walking for health schemes over five years up to September 2005. http://www.whi.org.uk/
The British Heart Foundation is a major national charity (registered number 225971) which plays a leading role in the fight against heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer. It is the largest source of funds for independent heart research in this country. The Foundation also plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and health professionals, and in providing lifesaving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care. http://www.bhf.org.uk/
The Countryside Agency is the statutory body working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone. It is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside. http://www.countryside.gov.uk/
The New Opportunities Fund distributes National Lottery funding to health, education and environment projects across the UK to improve quality of life and address the needs of those who are most disadvantaged in society. http://www.nof.org.uk/
Kia Motors is one of the world’s major car manufacturers. As part of its responsible approach to motoring, Kia has been a sponsor of the ‘Walking the way to Health’ Initiative for the past three years. Supporting projects like WHI helps promote healthier lifestyles whilst raising awareness of the alternatives to driving over short distances. http://www.kia.co.uk/
