Walk with a Doc
Also: Walk with a Future Doc
Community walking programme founded in 2005 by Columbus, Ohio cardiologist David Sabgir: a doctor gives a short talk on a health topic, then walks with patients and neighbours. Chapters are led by physicians and medical students in hundreds of communities in the US and other countries.
- Years
- 2005–now
- Country
- United States
- Topic
- Physical activity
- Asks people to
- Start
- Strategy
- Trusted messenger
- Channel
- EventsWebsite
- Audience
- AdultsGeneral public
Evidence
Self-reportedUnknown
A 2018 evaluability assessment, reported by the founder, found attendees felt the programme increased their physical activity and social connections (Sabgir & Dorn 2020). A single-chapter mixed-methods evaluation at Stony Brook had 91 attendances over 5 months and usable surveys from 30 participants, with positive feedback but no behaviour measurement (Landman et al. 2024). No controlled evaluation found.
Sponsor (who paid)
- Walk with a Doc NGO, creator (nonprofit since 2009)
Credits (who made it)
- David Sabgir Individual, 2005- source
Related campaigns
- Every Body Walk! 2011
- Exercise is Medicine 2007–now
- Wheeling Walks 2001–now
Sources
- Walk with a Doc: Who we are sponsor
- Sabgir D, Dorn J. Walk with a Doc: a call to action for physician-led walking programs. Curr Cardiol Rep 2020;22(7):44 sponsor · 2020 · DOI 10.1007/s11886-020-01297-y · PMID 32561999
- Landman UN et al. Implementation and mixed-methods evaluation of "Walk with a Doc" program at Stony Brook. J Osteopath Med 2024;124(6):243-248 evaluation · 2024 · DOI 10.1515/jom-2022-0242 · PMID 38308334
Research notes
First walk 9 April 2005 in Columbus and nonprofit status in 2009 from the organisation's site (fetched). Founder's 2020 paper claims more than 560 US communities and 34 other countries; the site says 'hundreds' of chapters; counts not verified. Founder's paper discloses funding from Anthem and the Hass Avocado Board.
Record cases/walk-with-a-doc.json, updated 2026-10-23· Link to this campaign