Exercise and Health Education Are the Goals of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Go Walking! Campaign.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2003

5K walk and health and fitness screenings are free to everyone

If you've made the commitment to exercise, but just haven't found the right time to begin, mark Saturday, October 25, 2003 on your calendar. That's the day Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) launches its "Go Walking. It's One Healthy Move!" campaign to promote a healthier life-style. BCBSMA is trying to empower its members and the public to improve their health with information about walking and its associated health benefits.

Everyone is invited to the first BCBSMA Go Walking! event any time between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 25 at the MDC Artesani Park, located on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. Sponsored in cooperation with Shaw's Supermarkets and Star Market and WBZ-TV, the BCBSMA 5K Walk and Health Fair event is family-oriented with something for everyone, including a 5K walk and a health fair with fitness and health-screening stations.

Recent studies have shown walking to be an effective measure that fights heart disease and other serious conditions. Heart disease is one of the nation's leading silent killers.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease and stroke are the number one and number three killers of men and women in the United States, respectively. Stroke is also a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability. Cardiovascular diseases kill more Americans than the next six leading causes of death combined, including AIDS and cancer. AHA states that more than 2,600 Americans die every day from cardiovascular diseases. One person dies every 33 seconds due to heart disease and every 53 seconds someone suffers a stroke. Walking also fights against osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and eases arthritis symptoms and chronic back pain.

"Walking is an excellent form of exercise because, like other aerobic exercises, it raises the heart rate, strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and reduces the risk for heart disease," said Dr. James Fanale, BCBSMA's Chief Medical Officer. "Walkers also receive the mental benefits that regular exercise provides, because it reduces stress and the risk of depression."

BCBSMA recommends that people establish a walking routine depending on their motivation and schedule. Here are examples of several walking routine options:

-- If you want to lose weight, get into shape, and are able to

walk at home try establishing a routine of 10 minutes to 30

minutes, three to four times weekly. For best results,

establish your stride at a pace that has you breathing hard

but still able to carry on a conversation. In addition, each

week you can add a minute or two to each walk, working up to

stretches of 20 minutes to 45 minutes. The other option is to

see if you can do a few extra blocks in the same 20 minutes to

30 minutes.

-- If weight loss is your motivation, aim for 45-minute sessions,

five days to six days a week.

-- Those who are pressed for time should try walking at work. The

cumulative effects of a brisk 10-minute walk at lunch give you

the benefits associated with walking. The advantages to

walking at work include increased productivity, less stress,

higher energy levels, weight loss, and improved muscle tone.

-- You could also build upon the walking that you already do. For

example, you could park further away from stores and work, or

take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. The

added steps cumulate and provide you with the benefits from

walking.

The walking information is easily accessible from www.ahealthyme.com, BCBSMA's health information website. Information about the BCBSMA 5K Walk and Health Fair is available at www.bluecrossma.com. BCBSMA also is sponsoring WGBH's "America Walking." The 13-show series began September 7 and will end November 30.

"America Walking" is a fitness, travel and lifestyle series that offers information and inspiration for those who want to start a daily walking habit and live a more active life. Hosted by Mark Fenton, the show will highlight great walking destinations across the country, provide advice on food and nutrition, present tips on the best fitness apparel, and feature the inspirational stories of individuals who have seen their lives transformed simply by walking. Additionally, "America Walking" offers viewers ideas on making our neighborhoods safer and more pedestrian-friendly.

BCBSMA also was a major sponsor of two recent walks: The Walk for the Cure, the American Cancer Society's September 1st event in Worcester, MA and the American Heart Association's walk on September 20th on the Charles River Esplanade.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) was founded 65 years ago by a group of community-minded business leaders. Today, headquartered in Boston, BCBSMA provides coverage to 2.4 million members. Consistently recognized for standards of service that are among the highest in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the choice for health care consumers seeking reliable and high quality health care coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.