College of Public Health sponsors Wellness Walk

The College of Public Health Wellness Council is urging everyone on the UNMC campus to walk the talk and become healthier.

On May 5, the Wellness Walk will start at noon on the south patio outside the Maurer Center for Public Health. Ali S. Khan, M.D., M.P.H., dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, will be part of the group that walks for 30 minutes down Field Club Trail.

Refreshments will be served at the end, said Lea Pounds, Ph.D., instructor of health promotion, social and behavioral health, and one of the organizers of the walk.

“Walking is one of the easiest things you can do to get healthy,” Dr. Pounds said. “A 10-minute walk during the workday counts towards the total of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity that’s recommended each week.”

Dr. Pounds points out that the UNMC campus is located next to some lovely neighborhoods that are perfect for noon time walks. “The historic Blackstone area has lots of interesting homes and buildings to look at. And, we have the Field Club trail and the Morton Meadows neighborhood south of Leavenworth.

“Unfortunately, sitting is the new smoking, but we can start walking now to help Nebraska to be the healthiest state by 2025.”

Email Dr. Pounds lpounds@unmc.edu if you want to join the walk.