The CDC reports that of people aged 45-64 years, 29.3% report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and ages 65+, 49.6%. According to DHEC, over 1.1 million South Carolina residents have been diagnosed with arthritis, making it the 10th highest in the nation. While this program is targeted at those with this condition, participants with other related conditions are welcome to join. The Office of the Surgeon General promotes that one of the best things we can do to improve health is walking as it is a powerful tool.
We are pleased to announce that we are offering a new Community Health Program called Walk with Ease. This is an evidence-based walking program that combines self-paced walks with discussions about health-related topics. It has been proven to help people with arthritis and other related conditions improve overall health. The group group sessions meet three times per week for six weeks. A guidebook is included with registration that covers walk-for-fitness routine, stretching exercises and heart-rate monitoring techniques. Trained group exercise leaders begin each session with a pre-walk discussion covering a specified topic related to exercise and arthritis, followed by a 10- to 40-minute walk that includes a warm-up and a cool-down.
This program will help raise community awareness to the need for walking to ease the pain of certain conditions, encourage community among participants, and address policy issues such as walkability throughout Summerville.
If you are looking for the for social connections, while socially distancing this is the program for you! To register, please click here. For more information, please contact Director of Community Health Hannah Silvia at [email protected] or 843-486-1470.