Step it Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities

Physical activity is one of the most important things Americans can do to improve their health.

Regular physical activity can reduce the burden of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, and can prevent early death.

Despite the known health benefits of being physically active, only one-half of U.S. adults and about one-quarter of high school students meet the minimum guidelines [PDF-8.35MB] for aerobic physical activity. Walking is an easy way to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle, and walkable communities make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to be active.

The goal of Step it up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities is to increase walking by working together to increase access to safe and convenient places to walk and wheelchair roll and to create a culture that supports walking for all Americans.

• Complete report [PDF-1.27MB]
• Executive summary
• Partner booklet [PDF-2.62MB]
• Consumer video
• Infographic [PDF-1.44MB]
• Slide Set [PDF - 1MB]
• Status Report [PDF-1.24MB]
• Slide Set for Status Report [PDF-806KB]

For more detailed information and resources on how to promote walking and make our communities more walkable, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.