Walking with the Doc

Team Members: Laura Caligan-Gilliam, Brad Cuttino, Stephanie Estrada, Janet Foster-Whitley, Karen Potter, Gage Weekes, Shane Williams

The GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 21-mile multi-use trail that extends from Greenville to Travelers Rest. The beauty of the trail is that it affords all residents – no matter their age, race, or athletic ability – the opportunity to get fit and be active. However, research shows that less than 10% of Swamp Rabbit Trail users are non-white. This is especially troubling given that physical inactivity is a leading cause of chronic diseases like heart disease, which minorities are already at greater risk of developing. Our project seeks to increase utilization of the trail by minorities. To achieve this goal, we plan to host a monthly walk on the trail in partnership with Greenville Health System, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, and Spartanburg Regional Health System. Each hospital will take turns leading the walk and providing free health education and/or screenings in conjunction with the walk, as well as some healthy snacks. To increase participation, we will engage minority leaders in the community in helping us promote the walks and offer participants incentives, such as water bottles, pedometers, and T-shirts.