April 4, 2006
Sims hits the streets of downtown in the name of health
You can be healthier by adding exercise such as walking to your day. To illustrate that point, hundreds of King County employees and community partners are walking the talk of active living during national Public Health Week, which starts April 3rd.
Take a walk with King County Executive Ron Sims and employees through Pike Place Market on their route to a healthier lifestyle. Fresh foods, fresh air and flowers at Pike Place market make a great visual in the 30 minute round trip walk. A one-on-one walk and interview with Ron Sims or a county employee can be arranged. The walk begins Wednesday, April 5 , 11:30 in the lobby of the Wells Fargo Building at 999 3rd Avenue in downtown Seattle.
"Sometimes the simplest things give the greatest pleasure and benefit, and that's the truth for walking," said King County Executive Ron Sims, who will host a walk with King County employees on Wednesday, April 5th of Public Health Week. "More of our employees are discovering the active lifestyle as a great way to get healthier and feel better."
Greater physical activity also supports the goals of the King County Health Initiative in cutting medical costs through improving the health of King County employees. "Nearly 18,000 King County employees and their spouses or domestic partners are committing to exercise more, eat better and manage chronic diseases, which are all pillars of our Health Initiative effort," said Executive Sims.
Walking also helps accomplish the goals of the King County Overweight Prevention Initiative -- a 10-point action plan that includes the promotion of physical activity as well as promoting nutrition and designing communities for active living. This work is sponsored by the King County Board of Health, the University of Washington Exploratory Center for Obesity Research and Center for Public Health Nutrition, and Public Health - Seattle & King County.