by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The American Heart Association partnered with health care professionals from Mayo Clinic Florida in Jacksonville Wednesday to host a free health fair at the Landing to kick off this year’s “Start! Walking” health awareness and fundraising campaign.
Visitors received information about cardiovascular disease, stroke and nutrition. There were also complimentary blood-pressure screenings and demonstrations of hands-only CPR.
The event was the heart association’s way to raise awareness of the “Start! Walking” initiative that encourages Americans to incorporate 30 minutes of walking into their day.
Seventy percent of American adults report being advised by a health care professional to make a lifestyle change and 33 percent are told they need more exercise.
On the business side of the issue, the heart association reports that at least 25 percent of corporate medical costs each year are spent on employees with an excessive health risk, particularly cardiovascular disease.
Corporate wellness programs have been shown to reduce sick leave by 28 percent and health care costs by 26 percent. Fitness programs can also reduce workers’ compensation and disability claims by as much as 30 percent.
To promote community and corporate wellness through walking, the heart association and local sponsor Mayo Clinic Florida in Jacksonville have scheduled this year’s “Start! Heart Walk” Sept. 24 at Metropolitan Park. Doug Baer, president of Brooks Rehabilitation, is the chair of this year’s walk.
“Heart health is a family affair. The Start! Walk is our way to encourage people to get up and get moving,” said Cindy Nelson, spokeswoman for Mayo Clinic.
Corporate teams are now forming for the 3-mile walk with the goal of raising more than $1 million to support the the heart association’s educational programs.
For more information and registration forms, visit www.firstcoastheartwalk.org.
356-2466