Halfway through a billion steps!

Today’s post is by Robert Lotzar, National Public Health Week fellow at the American Public Health Association.

APHA is excited to announce that we are already more than halfway to walking a billion steps! APHA’s Billion Steps Challenge is a national walking and moving event that started on Jan. 1 and finishes during National Public Health Week. Hundreds of teams are tracking their steps and inspiring others across the country to get up, tie their laces and get moving!

The challenge is a part of NPHW, which will run from April 1-7. This challenge is designed to make it easy and fun to promote public health issues in your community. From walking with a friend, to joining a walking group or participating in a charity walk, the Billion Steps Challenge helps people step out with their community on the path to better health.

Walkers have shared the many creative ways they’ve earned steps so far. From Zumba classes to shoveling the driveway, you can pick up steps in many different activities. If you want to host a walking event, you can check out our toolkit or sign up for a social media webinar event to learn how to reach more people.

There is still time to join the fun! You can sign up for the Billion Steps Challenge by downloading the MoveSpring app or on the MoveSpring website. Once there, enter “APHA2019” as the organization code for the Billion Steps Challenge. Our challenge toolkit will help get you started.

Don’t step? You can still participate! The MoveSpring app allows users to log their mileage manually. If you roll or ride, you can compete and help us hit — and surpass! — 1 billion steps.

For people already involved, share your progress with #APHABillionSteps on social media! Keep taking steps toward creating the healthiest nation.