The World Health has set aside a day of walking or running to promote physical activity around the world.
The first-ever “Walk the Talk”—an 8km walk—came on the eve of the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva.
“Health is in our hands,” said WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus, ahead of the walk.
“If we are physically active, if we don’t abuse alcohol and if we don’t smoke and if we watch what we eat. Let’s make it happen,” he called.
The call comes amidst rising concern for chronic and noncommunicable diseases related to lifestyle changes—anything from diabetes to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
“We know the risk factors, and one of them is what we are doing today. Let’s stay active.”
Walk the Talk is set to become an annual event to be held on the Sunday before health ministers from around the world convene for the World Health Assembly.
Ghebreyesu said countries should use the model to “encourage their communities and societies to keep moving and stay active.”
Long distance and cross country running champion Haile Gebrselassie led the 8km race in support of health.
“I don’t want to talk more than walk, but there is a reason you need to exercise,” said Gebrselassie.
He said technology has made life simpler but nothing has ever changed nature.
“The way we live now is completely different from the way we used to live. Years ago, everyone doing anything had to move, walk, our life was an exercise. Nowadays, everything is gone. That’s why exercise must be our daily lifestyle like eating, drinking. Otherwise, we are going to lose everything.”
