Walk USA for Health Equity (WUHE)
Milwaukee, WI – In his remarkable solo walk across America, Sacramento Naturopathic Doctor Dennis Godby, still recovering from open-heart surgery, persists in his quest for health equity through Walk USA for Health Equity (WUHE).
At 68 years old, he will embark on the mission to cover 670 miles-averaging 23 miles per day- from Milwaukee, WI, to Fargo, ND, passing through Minnesota, August 19 to September 19, 2024. This marks the middle segment of his journey, with previous sections spanning Myrtle Beach to Knoxville (2022) and Knoxville to Milwaukee (2023), leading up to the final legs planned for 2025 and 2026, culminating in Seattle, WA. This is Dr. Godby’s third coast-to-coast endeavor – the first two being runs.
Awareness of health disparities
WUHE’s core objective lies in propelling awareness of health disparities and advocating for equitable health opportunities for all Americans. The organization focuses in on issues including implicit bias; stress, racism, hypertension; rural health challenges; fostering nutritious budget-friendly diets; vitamin D deficiency; and safe and clean exercise environments.
What is health equity”
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation defines health equity as “everyone having a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This involves removing barriers such as poverty, discrimination, and limited access to good jobs, fair pay, quality education, housing, safe environments, and healthcare.”
Dr. Godby collaborates with a slew of entities, from local groups to fellow health equity advocates, Naturopathic Doctors to facilitate health forums and community engagements along his route, and support from Rotary Club members.
“The show must go on”
Although recent mitral valve regurgitation and surgery have affected his training, before and after the surgery, Dr. Godby is determined to proceed. “The show must go on,” he insists, emphasizing the critical need for a more health-equitable nation. The urgency is highlighted by disparities such as Black women being three times more likely to die in childbirth compared to White women and one’s zip code impacting life expectancy more than one’s genetics.
Dr. Godby’s previous two journeys through South and North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and part of Wisconsin, have been deeply transformative. His advocacy for health equity has been embraced by everyone he meets. An 83-year-old man in rural Indiana told him that such grassroots efforts are how social change happens. Dr. Godby is overflowing with joy and gratitude for the support he has received, from donated hotel rooms and incredibly delicious and nutritious meals prepared by Naturopathic Doctors, to simple, but meaningful gestures like providing coffee, ice water on hot days, or taking the time to engage in thoughtful conversations, or simply saying, “atta boy, keep up the great work.” Kindness abounds!
Dr. Godby is also very aware that as a White man, he has always felt safe, whereas women and people of color, would likely have very different experiences on a trek of this nature. This is why he feels compelled to be out there talking to people across the country, because he can. Every resident having the opportunity to be maximally healthy is of paramount importance – it is a matter of life and death.
From his inaugural solo walk of 1,420 miles, 46 years ago, Dr. Godby gleaned valuable insights into the power of vulnerability and risk-taking, fostering an environment conducive to open dialogue and empathy. He is quoted as saying that “the level of risk and vulnerability one is willing to endure for a cause directly influences people’s openness, generosity, and willingness to listen.” This approach has earned him a receptive audience across the country.
Navigating logisitics
Logistically, navigating a varied route using GPS, Dr. Godby encounters a mix of busy highways, quiet roads, and scenic paths. When walking, he always wears reflective gear, for the 7-10-hours per day. When on busy highways, especially with narrow shoulders, he prioritizes safety by walking against traffic, and wildly swings his arms when oncoming vehicles are approaching. On Leg 3, he will attempt to keep the weight of his backpack to 12-13 pounds, far less than the 30 pounds that he started with at the beginning of the walk in Myrtle Beach. Consequently, he carries little to no food, but always has electrolytes available, carries a container for the most prized possession, water, which convenience stores, or restaurants will generously give away to a grateful, thirsty walker.
While his walk is solo, Dr. Godby will occasionally be walking with others along the way, including the Wisconsin and Minnesota organizers for the walk, Naturopathic Doctors, Allison Becker, ND, and Audrey Schenewerk, ND, and Paul Ratte, ND, from Viroqua, WI. Mary Mitchell, the Health Equity Network Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health. will travel 80 miles to walk, along with many others in a collective effort to propagate health equity. Walkers are encouraged to join if they are wearing reflective gear and understand the risks of walking on a highway.
A Book: Health for All
His impactful advocacy has been immortalized in his book, “Health for All: A Journey Towards Health Equity,” offering a glimpse into his relentless pursuit of social justice and improved health for all.
Through nearly five decades of unwavering commitment to health and social justice, Dr. Godby aspires to ignite a movement towards a healthier and more equitable society.
For more information, or to get involved, please visit:
www.WalkUSAforHealthEquity.org
@WalkUSAforHealthEquityorg
[email protected]
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Explore additional topics from Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center with Dr. Godby, ND, MA and his team at Natural Wellness.
As a naturopathic doctor for the last 20 years, I have witnessed the power of a preventative lifestyle and naturopathic medicine to transform the health and lives of thousands of patients.
Sacramento Naturopathic
2530 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 446-2591
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