Walking Trails To Campus Promotes Healthy Living

     The picture above is of a walking trail located by an apartment complex that is located close to campus. There are stones that lead a pathway through a smalled wooded area that puts the walker out at a parking lot located across the street from the freshmen dorms. 

      The walking trail is an example of public health for many reasons. First, having a public walking area that is clean and easy to navigate promotes people to walk to and from class instead of driving, having friends pick them up, or taking public transportation. Second, the use of walking is obviously a health benefit to each individual person. By making walking to class more accessible people can heighten their physical activity, lower blood pressure, and begin to shed pounds that could accumulate from driving from place to place. Third, the lower use of cars can ultimately lower the dangerous gasses released which leads to healthier air in the long run. 

     Our group chose to highlight this example of public health because of its simplicity. Being healthy doesn't have to cost money to join a gym or instigate this huge world change. There are more ways to be healthy in your everyday life then many think about. If there were more of these walking trails, more people would be able to ditch the cars and walk to their destinations both getting themselves and their loved ones active. 

     It's important that others consider this an example of public health so that walking trails are considered throughout construction of buildings, homes, and work places. Simple changes like these can change our entire out look on what we can be doing to help ourselves be healthy. If everyone took an extra 10 minutes to walk to their destination, not only would they benefit but the world around them would also. 

Abby Musselwhite

Alli Hogan 

Susan Knighten