For Immediate Release:

October 6, 2003

Contact:

Angela Herman, Health Educator

Missouri Heart Disease and Stroke Program

(800) 316-0935

Alma Hopkins, Health Educator

Chronic Disease Primary Prevention Health Program

(866) 726-9926

Missouri Communities to Participate in “Walk to School Day” Events

Designed to Bring Forth Permanent Community Changes

Thousands of Missouri school children and their parents will turn off their engines and lace up their walking shoes to participate in the annual “Walk to School Day” on Wednesday, October 8.

Missouri events surrounding the national day are being implemented locally through the collaboration of school districts and community leaders. Parents are encouraged by Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to walk or bike their child to school, or around the block before or after school, on this special day.

“It’s such an easy yet valuable activity,” said Judy Alexiou, manager of DHSS’ Heart Disease and Stroke Program. “The simple act of participating in this event provides countless benefits to the community at large.”

Those benefits include:

· Physical activity for children and adults

· Teaching children safe walking and biking skills and how to identify safe routes to school

· Awareness of how Walkable or Bikeable their community is and where improvements can be made

· Improving neighborhoods for people on foot and bicycles

· Reducing traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near schools

· Sharing time with community leaders, parents, and children

The idea for the “Walk to School Day” event is for children, parents, and community leaders to walk or bike to school together with a purpose — to promote health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment. Walkers from Missouri will be joining many countries from around the world to celebrate the fourth International Walk to School Day.

To learn more about “Walk to School Day” and to register on-line, visit the official “Walk to School Day” website at www.walktoschool-usa.org. Additional information is also available from the DHSS’ Heart Disease and Stroke Program at 800-316-0935.

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