Since its launch in 2018 by the World Health Organization, “Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge” event has become a global movement organized in different countries to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity. The event co-organized by the Ministry of Health, National Center for Public Health and WHO Mongolia took place in Mongolia on 19 October 2019 on a nationwide scale. Around 7,500 people from all corners of the country joined in covering together a distance over 80km.
Prime minister Mr. U.Khurelsukh, Minister of Health Ms. D.Sarangerel, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Tapan Mishra, WHO Representative in Mongolia Dr. Sergey Diorditsa, representatives from government, non-governmental and international organizations, members of walking and hiking clubs took part in “Walk the Talk” event organized in the capital city. Sports master of Mongolia Mr. V.Damdinsuren came to encourage participants and public and to promote health benefits of walking and physical activity. Mr. Damdinsuren travelled 10,200km along the border of Mongolia on foot for 1 year and 12 days.
Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, and the global goal is to reduce it by 15 per cent by 2030. One measure that individuals can take to reduce the risk of NCDs such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and depression is physical activity. The recommended level of physical activity for adults aged 18-64 is 30 minutes of physical activity per day and for children and adolescents is 60 minutes of moderate to high intensity physical activity. This means 6,000-10,000 walking steps a day.