August 24, 2004

Faith leaders from Detroit, Flint, and Grand Rapids led the way to better health for their congregations and their communities by walking more than 12 million steps during the Michigan Surgeon General’s Walk by Faith pedometer challenge.

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan’s Surgeon General, launched the Walk by Faith challenge at a Prayer breakfast for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in February.

Using pedometers and an online tracking system, 73 registered faith leaders recorded their steps on a daily basis from March 1 through May 16, 2004. For fun, Dr. Wisdom initiated a friendly competition between the faith leaders from Detroit and Flint.

By the end of the challenge, 23 faith leaders from Detroit had logged over six million steps.

“The Walk by Faith participants set a healthy example for their congregations, communities, and state. They have literally taken important steps toward improving their personal health and contributing to a social movement that makes physical activity a standard in Michigan,” Wisdom said.

The challenge winner was selected based on the average number of steps taken per week and per location, participation from week to week, and improvement over the course of the event.

“The faith community has an important role to play in promoting not only spiritual health but also physical health, as they are inextricably linked,” Wisdom said.

In her Prescription for a Healthier Michigan, issued in April, Dr. Wisdom called for the support of the faith-based community as well as government, business and labor communities, educators, and health care providers to disseminate information, teach health building skills, develop supportive policies, and provide incentives for helping families preserve and maintain good health.

The Detroit team will be recognized at the Faith Leaders Day of Health with Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD event on September 30, 2004 at the New Detroit Science Center. During the event, faith leaders from southeast Michigan will receive health education, cardiovascular and diabetes screenings, and peer-provider interactions that can catalyze better health and self-care for pastors and congregations.