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Can a written step-count prescription from your physician actually make you healthier?

Feb 23, 2017

Montreal – A study from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) shows that physician-delivered step count prescriptions, combined with the use of a pedometer, can lead to a 20 per cent increase in daily steps, as well as measurable health benefits, such as lower blood sugar and lower insulin resistance, for patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes.

Scientific research clearly indicates that at least 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer and high blood pressure. Regular walking can lead to a 40 per cent reduction in both mortality and vascular event rates over the next decade for adults with type 2 diabetes. Despite this evidence, the current low level of physical activity among Canadians remains a dominant public health concern. Read more