In mid November 2011 I was in New Orleans to speak at the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Interim meeting. This is the meeting where the AMA House of Delegates and other leadership meets to develop policy. It also includes the leadership of the Medical Student Section of the AMA.

I gave a talk on the National Physical Activity Plan, which is the countries official plan for increasing physical activity. It is an 8 sector plan that was launched in May, 2010 and I serve as chair of the Healthcare Sector for the plan. The other sectors include Public Health; Education; Transportation; Urban Design and Community Planning; Parks, Recreation, Fitness and Sports; Mass Media; Business and Industry; and Volunteer and Nonprofit Organizations.

During my talk, I referenced the Every Body Walk! campaign as a great tool physicians can use to promote physical activity. There was a tremendous amount of interest around the idea of getting patients to start walking to improve their health. I think organized medicine is beginning to understand the tremendous value that walking provides to health.

Of course, during my visit I took time to go for several walks around New Orleans. The weather was nice and New Orleans is a great city to walk in, especially down Canal Street in the French Quarter.

Keep walking!

Bob