Collaboration develops easy, interactive online walking program to provide consumers with a fun, easy way to achieve healthy living CLEVELAND, May 19
CLEVELAND, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland Clinic, a world-class academic
medical center and leader in health and wellness, together with Google, the
world's leading Internet search company, are proud to announce the launch of
"Walk for Good," a new online walking program.
"Walk for Good" was unveiled today at an event at Google alongside the
public launch of Google Health, of which Cleveland Clinic is also an
integrated partner. These new offerings add to a growing network of
opportunities that empower consumers to take charge of their health.
The "Walk for Good" program offers an easy-to-use web-based "gadget" where
users can track the duration and frequency of their walks and invite friends
and family to join them.
The program also contains health education video segments featuring
leading Cleveland Clinic physicians who provide health and wellness tips and
address topics in the areas of Sports Health, Exercise Physiology, Psychology,
Nutrition and Cardiovascular Medicine. Users can also opt to receive daily and
weekly articles written by Cleveland Clinic doctors, which provide them the
opportunity to "learn on the go."
"As a world-renowned healthcare institution, we feel a responsibility to
take the lead in championing wellness initiatives which inspire individuals to
embrace healthier living," said Delos M. "Toby" Cosgrove, CEO and President of
Cleveland Clinic. "Cleveland Clinic is fully committed to the continued
development of innovative programs and approaches that integrate the best
practices of traditional medicine with the latest advances in wellness,
healthy living and disease prevention."
In its commitment to disease prevention and treatment, Cleveland Clinic
has sought to collaborate with government, business, civic leaders and the
communities it serves to reduce the high costs associated with preventable
chronic conditions. In doing so, Cleveland Clinic seeks to bridge the national
focus from the provision of "sick" care or disease treatment to the promotion
of "health" care, wellness and disease prevention.
"Walk for Good is a groundbreaking effort that brings health and wellness
into the 21st century by marrying the latest in online technology with timely
health and wellness information from a leading medical resource," said C.
Martin Harris, M.D., Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Clinic. "We are
giving individuals a state-of-the-art tool they can use to incorporate healthy
living into their daily routine."
Over the last century, the healthcare industry has successfully worked to
reduce some of the biggest threats to life expectancy, including infant
mortality and infectious disease. However, the rise and long-term effects of
preventable chronic illness rooted in unhealthy behavior are exacting a
significant personal and economic toll on the nation.
The treatment of chronic medical conditions comprise more than 75% of the
nation's $1.4 trillion medical expenditures and account for 70% of all deaths
in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
"Living a long and healthy life is less about genetics and more about
choice. The high cost of chronic disease in this country can be attributed to
three primary behaviors: tobacco, food, and physical activity," said Michael
F. Roizen, M.D., Chief Wellness Officer, Cleveland Clinic. "The 'Walk for
Good' campaign provides nearly two-thirds of our country with a fun and free
way to get active and get fit!"
Introducing regular exercise, such as walking, into a daily routine can
have a tremendous benefit on an individual's overall health. According to CDC
research, walking lengthens the life of individuals with diabetes, regardless
of age, sex, race, body mass index, length of time since diagnosis, and
presence of complications or functional limitations. The same study also
found:
-- People with diabetes who exercised by walking at least two hours a week
lowered their mortality rate from all causes by 39 percent;
-- Walking three to four hours a week reduced mortality from all causes by
54 percent;
-- Risk of death from heart disease can be reduced by 34 percent by
walking at least two hours per week and one cardiovascular death a year
might be preventable for every 145 people persuaded to walk at least
two hours a week.
Users can easily add the Walk for Good gadget to iGoogle, the personalized
Google homepage used by millions. Find the Walk for Good program on the
http://www.google.com/walkforgood page. To find Google Health, a separate
product offering by Google visit http://www.google.com/health .
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit
multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital
care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four
renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based
upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News &
World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best
hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Approximately 1,800
full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and
Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and
subspecialties. In 2007, there were 3.5 million outpatient visits to Cleveland
Clinic and 50,455 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every
state and from more than 80 countries. Cleveland Clinic's Web site address is
http://www.clevelandclinic.org .
SOURCE Cleveland Clinic
