As part of a movement to promote health, the outdoors, and local parks and trails, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Healthy Lompoc Coalition invites the community to a tri-lingual (English, Japanese, Spanish) Walk with a Doc event.
The activity, starting at noon Saturday, April 27 at Lompoc Community Track and Field Huyck Stadium, 515 W. College Ave., will feature a walk around the track with Dr. Andrew Frerking, DO., from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s Lompoc Healthcare Center. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine.
Dr. Frerking will answer participants’ medical questions while strolling around the track. Health education resources and information will also be available.
“We’re excited to host this event to help participants enjoy the health benefits of taking a walk, make a connection with the medical community, and to have the opportunity to learn a little more about outdoor recreation close to home,” Dr. Frerking said.
The Lompoc Community Track & Field, which is open to the public, offers a safe pace to walk. To learn more about the track’s access hours, please click here.
Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health and numerous studies point to the health benefits of spending time outside. Getting regular physical activity helps:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Control weight
- Reduce risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
- Strengthen bones and muscles
- Improve mental health and mood
- Improve sleep quality
- Increase your chances of living longer
- Increase positive feelings about quality of life
- Keep your lungs healthy
The Walk with a Doc event is a collaboration between the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, the Healthy Lompoc Coalition, and the Healthy People Healthy Trails Campaign. The campaign lets community members take an active role in their health while exploring their local outdoor recreational areas with medical professionals.
For more, visit the Healthy People Healthy Trails website.