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Draft:Walk with a Doc

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Walk with a Doc (WWAD) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by cardiologist David Sabgir in Columbus, Ohio. The organization coordinates free community walking programs that combine health education with group walks led by physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical students. Since its founding, Walk with a Doc has expanded from a single community program in Ohio to chapters across the United States and in several other countries.[1][2]

Medical journals and national news organizations have discussed Walk with a Doc as a physician-led community health initiative combining physical activity, health education, and social connection, including in the context of preventive medicine and social prescribing.[3][4][5]

History

[edit]

Walk with a Doc was founded in 2005 by cardiologist David Sabgir in Columbus, Ohio. The idea emerged after Sabgir observed that many of his patients understood the importance of regular physical activity but found it difficult to maintain healthy habits between office visits. Seeking a way to encourage exercise outside the clinical setting, he invited a patient to join him and his family for a walk in a local park. The experience led him to organize the first public Walk with a Doc event in April 2005.[6][7]

More than 100 people attended the first public walk. As interest in the program grew, physicians and healthcare organizations in other communities began adopting the model, contributing to its expansion beyond Columbus and the development of additional chapters across the United States.[8][9][10]

As the organization expanded, local chapters developed through partnerships with hospitals, health systems, universities, medical schools, and community organizations. The organization also introduced additional programs, including "Walk with a Future Doc," which involves medical students in community walking events and health education activities, and "Just Walk," which allows other licensed healthcare professionals to lead community walking programs.[11] Walk with a Doc subsequently expanded internationally, developing a network of chapters outside the United States.[12][13][14]

Programs

[edit]

Walk with a Doc events typically begin with a brief discussion on a health-related topic, followed by a group walk led by a physician or other healthcare professional. Topics may include cardiovascular health, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and other aspects of preventive health. Walks are generally conducted at a conversational pace, and participation is free and open to the public.[15][16][17]

Programs are organized through local chapters led by healthcare professionals and community partners and are commonly held in parks, walking trails, and other public spaces. Chapter activities vary according to local resources and may include additional health-related activities such as nutrition demonstrations, wellness education, or health screenings. The outdoor, group-based format provides opportunities for participants to engage with healthcare professionals and other community members outside traditional clinical settings.[18][19]

In addition to its physician-led Walk with a Doc chapters, the organization operates "Walk with a Future Doc," which involves medical students in community walking and health education activities, and "Just Walk," which allows other licensed healthcare professionals to lead programs.[20] These programs use the same general chapter-based approach while broadening the types of healthcare professionals and students who can participate in leading community walking events.[21]

Research and Impact

[edit]

Walk with a Doc has been discussed in medical literature in relation to physical activity, social connectedness, time spent outdoors, preventive health, and community-based health promotion. A 2020 review published in Current Cardiology Reports examined Walk with a Doc and Walk with a Future Doc within the broader context of walking, physical activity, social connection, and physician involvement in community health.[22]

An evaluability assessment of Walk with a Doc programs in Ohio and Texas included surveys of 244 participants and 48 physicians, along with physician interviews, participant focus groups, and observations of local chapters. Participants reported joining the program primarily to increase physical activity, interact with others, and learn about health topics. Among surveyed participants, 96% strongly agreed that Walk with a Doc helped them lead a healthier lifestyle. Physician leaders also reported benefits associated with participation and community engagement.[23]

Walk with a Doc has also been discussed in relation to broader approaches that connect healthcare with community-based physical activity and social engagement. A 2025 editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine discussed the organization in the context of physical activity and health promotion.[24]

Recognition

[edit]

In 2015, founder David Sabgir was named a CNN Hero for his work establishing Walk with a Doc and promoting community-based physical activity.[25]

Walk with a Doc has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an example of a community-based approach to promoting physical activity. The program was featured in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults and subsequently highlighted by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in 2024.[26][27]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Your Next Doctor's Appointment Should Be Outdoors". Outside. June 27, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Why You Should Walk with a Doc". Harvard Health Publishing. 2024.
  3. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Dr David Sabgir and Walk with a Doc—every step counts". British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025.
  5. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: A Call to Action for Physician-Led Wellness". Current Cardiology Reports. 2020.
  6. ↑ "Your Next Doctor's Appointment Should Be Outdoors". Outside. June 27, 2019.
  7. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025."Walk With a Doc: Stepping Outside the Clinic". Medscape. 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: A Call to Action for Physician-Led Wellness". Current Cardiology Reports. 2020.
  10. ↑ "Why You Should Walk with a Doc". Harvard Health Publishing. 2024.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Taylor M.; Theou, Olga; O'Brien, Myles W. (2024). "Walk with a Future Doc program allows Canadian medical students to promote physical activity and health education in local communities". Canadian Medical Education Journal. 15 (3): 116–118. doi:10.36834/cmej.77055. PMC 11302763. PMID 39114786.
  12. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: A Call to Action for Physician-Led Wellness". Current Cardiology Reports. 2020.
  14. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: Stepping Outside the Clinic". Medscape. 2021.
  15. ↑ "Why You Should Walk with a Doc". Harvard Health Publishing. 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: Stepping Outside the Clinic". Medscape. 2021.
  18. ↑ "Walk with a Doc: Bringing Communities Together Through Movement and Conversation". Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. May 29, 2024.
  19. ↑ "The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  20. ↑ Wilson, Taylor M.; Theou, Olga; O'Brien, Myles W. (2024). "Walk with a Future Doc program allows Canadian medical students to promote physical activity and health education in local communities". Canadian Medical Education Journal. 15 (3): 116–118. doi:10.36834/cmej.77055. PMC 11302763. PMID 39114786.
  21. ↑ "Walk With a Doc: A Call to Action for Physician-Led Wellness". Current Cardiology Reports. 2020."The Checkup With Dr. Wen". The Washington Post. January 2, 2025.
  22. ↑ Sabgir, David; Dorn, Joan (2020). "Walk with a Doc—a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs". Current Cardiology Reports. 22 (7): 44. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01297-y. PMC 7303935. PMID 32561999.
  23. ↑ Sabgir, David; Dorn, Joan (2020). "Walk with a Doc—a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs". Current Cardiology Reports. 22 (7): 44. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01297-y. PMC 7303935. PMID 32561999.
  24. ↑ Valasek, Amy; Lekshminarayanan, Anusha (2025). "Dr David Sabgir and Walk with a Doc—every step counts". British Journal of Sports Medicine. 59 (4): 283–284. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2024-108983. PMID 39797644.
  25. ↑ "Doctor ditches white coat for walking shoes". CNN. September 3, 2015.
  26. ↑ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults (Report). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2023. pp. 46–47.
  27. ↑ "Walk with a Doc: Bringing Communities Together Through Movement and Conversation". Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. May 29, 2024.

Category:Walking Category:Non-profit organizations based in Ohio Category:Organizations established in 2005 Category:Health promotion Category:Preventive medicine

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