Walk to Health is a free walking program that encourages residents to increase their level of physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve overall health. It is open to all residents of SWNPHD's nine county health district (SWNPHD covers Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins and Red Willow counties).
The team walking challenge kicks off each spring and continues for twelve weeks. It is a self motivated walking program in which you log your walking steps to track improvements. At the end of the twelve week program, an ending evaluation form is submitted. Incentives and prizes are awarded to those who achieve their goals. Additional smaller challenges occur throughout the year.
Walker Tracker is our fitness challenge app that can be used on your phone or computer thanks to a partnership with Community Hospital's Wellness for Life program. You can link to a step tracker (like Fitbit) or enter steps manually. Sync or enter your steps daily, or minimum every 3 days.
Sign Up Instructions:
Join easily in just 4 steps!
To create an account:
1. Download the ‘Walker Tracker’ app for iOS or Android
and enter the program URL WalktoHealth.thrives.app
when prompted.
2. Or register at the website: WalktoHealth.thrives.app.
For those who do not want to use the Walker Tracker app, there are Paper Step Journals to track your steps and participate in challenges.
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department continues to encourage residents to become more active and sustain a higher level of activity. Be sure to check with your medical provider prior to starting any new exercise program.
The Walk to Health program was developed in 2004 as a part of a NDHHS Block Grant promoting Healthy People 2010.
See Updated Goals for Healthy People 2030
Nutrition and Exercise Options by County - We have put together a list of all the options available in each county for nutrition and exercise. Many of them are low to no cost. Walk a new trail or get the family involved in a new activity.
Walk to Unlock Nebraska - This is a physical activity program where teams can track activities of their choice on a website, which move them down a trail, "unlocking" it and revealing facts about the state as progress is made.