Change Our Outcomes kickoff walk

Change Our Outcomes is a new health and physical activity initiative on campus organized by Dianna Johnson-Ward and the Office of Health Promotion.

The initiative is geared toward Black women on campus and was inspired by Johnson-Ward’s lived experience as a Black woman serving as a public health professional.

“For many chronic illnesses (CVD, hypertension, stroke, obesity, cancer, etc.) Black women face the worst outcomes (high mortality rates and comorbidities) in comparison to their counterparts of other ethnicities,” Johnson-Ward said.

“Many of the chronic illnesses mentioned can be greatly impacted by physical activity and lifestyle change. Unfortunately, that data also shows us that from puberty on Black women get the least physical activity across race and gender. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness and inspire change,” she added.

Johnson-Ward said that representation is important when it comes to physical activity and modeling healthy behaviors. She has hopes that this initiative will help foster a culture of wellness and increased representation for this population.

There will be a kickoff group walk for the Change Our Outcomes initiative that leaves from the Peden Stadium parking lot at noon on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Following the kickoff, Johnson-Ward plans to achieve the goals of the initiative by organizing monthly panel discussions with Black/women of color health care professionals, weekly walking groups and group fitness opportunities.

All are invited to join for the kickoff walk. Individuals can register online at RecShop.ohio.edu.