Governor Fallin Will Lead "Walk for Wellness" Wednesday

For Release: May 16, 2017

Media Advisory

What:                         Governor Fallin’s Sixth Annual “Walk for Wellness”

When:                        Wednesday, May 17th
                                   Walk from OSDH to the Capitol at 10:30 a.m.
                                   Walk around the Capitol Complex at 11:30 a.m.

Where:                       OSDH and the Sequoyah Building at the State Capitol Complex

Featuring:                  Gov. Mary Fallin, Cabinet secretaries, state agency leaders, state
                                   employees and private sector businesses

Background:              In celebration of Employee Health and Fitness Month, Governor Mary Fallin will lace up her walking shoes again this year to lead the sixth annual Governor’s Walk for Wellness at 11:30 a.m. Cabinet secretaries, state agency leaders, state employees and private businesses will join her in the walk around the state Capitol complex. Dr. Terry Cline, commissioner of health, will lead a walk from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (1000 NE 10th St.) to the Sequoyah Building at 10:30 a.m.

Fallin will make brief remarks about improving the health of Oklahoma’s workforce before leading the walk in support of employee health and wellness.

“Although our state has made gains in improving our overall health, there is more that we can do. Participating in physical activity daily is an important first step,” said Fallin. “I’m challenging leaders at state agencies as well as members of the business community to keep pace with me as we walk the Capitol grounds. The ‘Walk for Wellness’ is a great event that demonstrates an easy solution to employee fitness for other Oklahoma employers to replicate.”

Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation in health outcomes, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings report. Worksite wellness programs can help improve the state’s ranking by encouraging employees to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. Worksite wellness programs also benefit employers by reducing health care costs and absenteeism, increasing worker productivity and attracting new employees to their business.

Walking Route from OSDH:

Walk west on N.E. 10th (Cross 10th at protected crosswalk).

Turn north on N. Phillips Ave.

Turn west on N.E. 15th.

Turn north on N. Lincoln Blvd. (Cross Lincoln at crosswalk).

Take route around Capitol Complex to the northeast side of Sequoyah Building.

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