Walking for better health and wellbeing
Image credits: Health and Wellbeing Queensland
Action 4.2, Action Plan for Walking 2019–2021
Status: Complete
Ensure that walking is included in efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders, reducing risk factors associated with chronic disease (for example, low levels of physical activity such as walking) and reduce health inequities.
Achievements
Health and Wellbeing Queensland was established as an independent statutory health promotion agency to reduce the burden of chronic diseases. Its role is to both target risk factors for chronic diseases such as poor nutrition, low physical activity and obesity, and reduce health inequity.
The 2020-2024 strategic plan for Health and Wellbeing Queensland explicitly commits the agency to support the Queensland Walking Strategy. The agency also facilitates delivery of two walking programs, Heart Foundation Walking and 10,000 Steps.
Walking was a key element of Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s response to the COVID pandemic, Boost your Healthy during COVID-19. The Boost your Healthy campaign and platform was developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland in partnership with 31 alliance partners to communicate positive and evidence-based health messages, encouraging Queenslanders to boost their daily activity, healthy eating and wellbeing.
The campaign launched with The Billion Steps Challenge on 2 May 2020. This challenge was developed in partnership with 10,000 Steps. Health and Wellbeing Queensland recruited ambassadors to be key supporters of the challenge including cricketer Jodie Fields, rugby league player Steve Renouf, and ABC Radio breakfast presenter Craig Zonca. Within 32 days of its launch, 5,874 Queenslanders from close to 320 different postcodes across the state walked or wheeled one billion steps.
Next steps
Health and Wellbeing Queensland will partner with the community, public, not-for-profit, non-government and private sectors, to help turn skills, will and resources into health promotion action and policy that enables Queenslanders to move more and make healthier food and drink choices. Walking is a key strategy for Making Healthy Happen and improving life for all Queenslanders.
Lead agency
Health and Wellbeing Queensland
More information
Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Last updated 12 August 2022