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News Release

April 18, 2007
Hundreds of workers take a healthy hike around downtown Honolulu at the HMSA go Walk @ Lunch

Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) today hosted the HMSA go Walk @ Lunch on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of getting regular physical activity. More than 200 people participated in a one-mile fun walk around the downtown area, a health fair with information on good health and fitness, and some fun and games with event emcee Kutmaster Spaz.

Today is National Walk @ Lunch Day, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) health initiative. Employers and health care consumers across the nation participated in lunchtime walks. As an independent licensee of the BCBSA, HMSA supported the national initiative with the HMSA go Walk @ Lunch in Honolulu.

The HMSA go Walk @ Lunch was a community awareness event encouraging people to go for a walk at lunchtime as a way to get more physical activity. Medical experts say 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week is good for muscles, bones and joints. It may also help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other serious health conditions.

"We all have a schedule that revolves around our workday," said Cliff K. Cisco, HMSA senior vice president. "Trying to fit exercise into our lives before or after work can be challenging. But using time during the workday – such as your lunchtime – is an excellent way to get more physical activity. That’s what the HMSA go Walk @ Lunch was all about."

"Obesity is also a serious health concern in Hawaii," said Cisco. "If more people were involved in regular physical activity and ate a nutritious diet, then childhood and adult obesity could be reduced in the state. Living a healthier life can also help reduce unnecessary medical costs."

The HMSA go Walk @ Lunch attracted more than 200 participants, including state lawmakers, city officials, business leaders, special guests, and the public. Participating organizations included the American Heart Association, Hawaii State Department of Health, Meadow Gold Dairies of Hawaii, National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Weight Watchers Hawaii, and YMCA of Honolulu.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that serves without compensation and includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA is a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Nationally, HMSA and 37 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to more than 94 million members.

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