1. What’s Health Got To Do With It?

2. 2 Chronic Disease Prevention –Nutrition –Physical Activity Sedentary –Weight Management –Equity –Access –Education –Etc, etc… Walking Physical Activity Sedentary Chronic disease prevention and physical activity

3. 3 Cardiovascular disease Diabetes (Type 2) Metabolic Syndrome Obesity Dementia Mental Health Osteoporosis Certain Cancers (eg. breast, colon) (Blair & Morris, 2009; Siddiqui et al., 2010; Liu et al., 2011; Vogel et al., 2009.) Healthy Active Living Chronic disease prevention and physical activity

4. 4 Why walking?

5. 5 Walking is: Popular (Alberta Government, 2008) Accessible –Low cost and low skill level required (Lee and Buchner, 2008 ) Low risk to injury (Hootman et al. 2002) The most common activity of those who report being active (Simpson et al 2003) Image curtsy of the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity

6. 6 Walking is more popular as we get older (Lee and Buchner, 2008 ) Those who walk tend to be more active. (Lee and Buchner, 2008 ) Walking is linked to reduced incidences of cardiovascular disease. (Lee and Buchner, 2008 ) Link between walkable neighborhoods, improved cardiovascular fitness and lower BMI (Hoehner et al, 2011) Walking is:

7. 7 Health Care Understanding the system: –Public Health –Health Promotion –Chronic Disease Prevention Healthy Living Who to engage with: –Physical Activity –Injury Prevention –Public Safety –Built Environment

8. 8 Health Of Albertans

9. 9

10. 10 What is WalkABle? Created by Walk21 Green Communities Canada Canada Walks Alberta Alberta Health Services: Alberta Walkability Roadshow WalkABle Alberta

11. 11 The International Charter for Walking Creating healthy, efficient and sustainable communities where people choose to walk 1. Increased inclusive mobility 2. Well designed and managed spaces and places for people 3. Improved integration of networks 4. Supportive land-use and spatial planning 5. Reduced road danger 6. Less crime and fear of crime 7. More supportive authorities 8. A culture of walking WalkABle in an Alberta community

12. 12 Collaboration Provincial Experts Provincial organizations Regional Representatives Municipal Representation Local Organizations Local Representatives (stakeholders)

13. 13 Communities contacted as possible participants - Communities went through application process Benchmark questions: summary and analysis Workshops varied depending on community need Action Plan for improving walkability WalkABle in an Alberta community

14. 14 WalkABle in an Alberta community

15. 15 WalkABle in an Alberta community

16. 16 WalkABle in an Alberta community

17. 17 WalkABle in an Alberta community

18. 18 Next steps Community reports Support community action Recommendations for future implementation

19. 19 WalkABle Community Action Recommendations in implementation of community action plan Ongoing support Community action: –Shift of priorities –Stakeholder discussion –Partnership formation

20. 20 WalkABle Conclusions Multiple approaches to similar problems Started with bringing people together Follow through on actions resulted in relationships formed Culture of Walking Communities embraced the idea of a walkable community

21. 21 Questions? Graham Matsalla Health Promotion Facilitator Chronic Disease Prevention – Healthy Living Population and Public Health 10101 Southport Road SW, Calgary, AB T2W 3N2 Phone: (403)943-6781 Email: graham.matsalla@albertahealthservices.ca graham.matsalla@albertahealthservices.ca Alberta Health Services: www.albertahealthservices.cawww.albertahealthservices.ca