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Allentown is encouraging walkers to join its Million Clicks for Million Hearts campaign!<\/em><\/p>\n At a late morning news conference in City Council Chambers, Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown Health Bureau Director Vicky Kistler, members of the Allentown Board of Health and representatives of the Department of Parks & Recreation announced details of participation in a national program.\u00a0 It aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.<\/p>\n Walkers can sign-up by obtaining a form from the health bureau or registering on the city\u2019s website to receive a free key-tab.\u00a0 They then \u201cclick-in\u201d at stations in Trexler and Andre Reed parks, in Lehigh Parkway, on the LifeTrail in Cedar Creek Parkway and at Ninth & Hamilton streets.\u00a0 Each time a walker \u201cclicks-in,\u201d their name is entered to win a monthly prize.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to get people up and walking,\u201d Pawlowski said.\u00a0 \u201cHeart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.\u00a0 Major risk factors are controllable, and walking is way to help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe health bureau is committed to furthering the goals of the CDC\u2019s Million Hearts initiative,\u201d Kistler said.\u00a0 \u201cAllentown is blessed with beautiful parks and a new cityscape.\u00a0 This is the perfect city for a program like Million Clicks for Million Hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Allentown Board of Health member Dr. Oscar Morffi, the benefits of walking have been known for centuries.\u00a0 \u201cMore than 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates said that walking is a man\u2019s best medicine.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t agree more.\u00a0 Walking improves cardiac risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.\u201d<\/p>\n Board of Health member D. Paul Gross concurs.\u00a0 \u201cWalking provides all the benefits of moderate exercise with a very low risk of injury.\u00a0 It helps prevent against depression and dementia and helps to counter mental stress.\u201d<\/p>\n Participants can register by calling Ronya Nassar at the Allentown Health Bureau at 610-437-7581<\/a>, or on the city website at www.allentownpa.gov\/millionhearts<\/a>.\u00a0 Questions can be addressed to Ronya.Nassar@allentownpa.gov.<\/p>\n The project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health\u2019s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nInformation provided by:
\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n435 Hamilton Street
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nMike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov<\/p>\n
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