National Walk at Lunch Day Challenges Employers to Address Wellness Issues

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BBSC) is challenging companies across the state to participate in the third annual National Walk @ Lunch Day on Wednesday, April 29, when employers nationwide will encourage their employees to take part in a 30-minute lunchtime walk.

National Walk @ Lunch Day encourages workers to take time regularly during their lunch breaks to walk toward better health. Most Americans' schedules are built around the workday, so lunchtime walks are designed to fit into—not compete with—workers' schedules.

BlueCross is inviting the public to participate in any of three community walks it is sponsoring from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on National Walk @ Lunch Day: at the Statehouse in Columbia, at Marion Square Park in Charleston, and at Falls Park in Greenville.

Those who cannot make it to one of those locations are encouraged to organize their own workplace walking event. South Carolina companies seeking information or promotional materials for planning a walk should call BlueCross' Glenn Niemiec at 803-264-4612.

"We are asking companies to join BlueCross in holding lunchtime walks at or near the workplace," says David Pankau, president of S.C. BlueCross' BlueCross BlueShield Division. "Americans are busy with work, family and community commitments, so lunchtime walks are a great way to fit exercise into a full schedule."

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association created National Walk @ Lunch Day to encourage Americans to live healthier lives by incorporating walking into their daily activities. Last year, the event drew tens of thousands of participants in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. National Walk @ Lunch Day is a component of WalkingWorks, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association physical activity program that helps Americans live healthier lives and reduce unnecessary medical costs due to physical inactivity. WalkingWorks was developed in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.