Nowon-gu Launches Pilot Operation of 'Nowon Healing Walk' for Seniors

Development of 30-minute daily, 150-minute weekly courses by neighborhood in accordance with WHO physical activity guidelines

Incentives to encourage continuous participation, including health checkups and small group activities

Pilot operation in Wolgye 2-dong, Gongneung 1-dong, Hagye 1-dong, Junggye 2·3-dong, and Sanggye 1-dong... Plans to expand to all neighborhoods in the future

Any senior aged 65 or older living in the pilot neighborhoods can participate anytime... Apply by visiting the neighborhood community center and filling out an application form

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will pilot the neighborhood walking exercise program "Nowon Healing Walk" targeting seniors with insufficient physical activity.

As of February this year, the population of seniors aged 65 or older residing in Nowon-gu is about 93,000, ranking third among Seoul’s autonomous districts, accounting for 18% of the total district population. Accordingly, the district decided to operate the "Nowon Healing Walk" project to promote seniors' health and activate a walking culture in daily life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that seniors aged 65 or older engage in 40 minutes daily and 150 to 300 minutes weekly of physical activity to improve health.

Accordingly, Nowon Healing Walk is designed for up to 30 minutes daily and about 150 minutes weekly of walking. To avoid seniors having to travel far, key apartment complexes were designated in each neighborhood, and courses of approximately 1.8 km around those areas were created.

The program operates five days a week. On two days, participants walk under the guidance of Nowon-gu walking activity leaders appointed after training, and on the remaining three days, they walk autonomously using the smartphone app "WalkOn."

Initially, five neighborhoods are designated for pilot operation. The pilot neighborhoods are Wolgye 2-dong, Gongneung 1-dong, Hagye 1-dong, Junggye 2·3-dong, and Sanggye 1-dong. The project targets seniors aged 65 or older residing in these pilot neighborhoods, and anyone can participate anytime throughout the year by visiting the neighborhood community center and filling out an application form. The district plans to expand the program to all neighborhoods after the pilot operation in these five neighborhoods.

An incentive system to encourage continuous participation by seniors has also been established. In the mission "Life’s 90,000 Ri, Walk 90,000 Steps!", 600 seniors who achieve 90,000 steps will receive paper gift certificates worth 10,000 KRW. Another mission rewards 200 seniors who excel in walking or show significant improvement in health indices with paper gift certificates worth 20,000 KRW.

Before and after the program, health checkups are conducted at lifelong health management centers located in each neighborhood. This not only analyzes the health improvement effects before and after walking exercise but also supports continuous health management for participating seniors by providing regular checkups for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and health consultations on nutrition and exercise.

The sense of belonging through neighborhood walking exercises will be developed into small groups led by leaders to maintain walking participation rates by conducting various programs. Furthermore, the district aims to alleviate social isolation among vulnerable health groups and establish a community care network through this project. The first walking activity will start at 9:30 AM on April 5 at the Sanggye 1-dong Northern Comprehensive Social Welfare Center. Following that, the Junggye 2·3-dong Healing Walk will begin on April 13.

Meanwhile, after recording the lowest walking practice rate (44.7%) among Seoul districts in the 2017 Community Health Survey, Nowon-gu declared itself a "Walking City Nowon" in 2018 to improve residents’ walking rates and has been implementing systematic health promotion projects. Through multifaceted efforts such as enacting ordinances to promote physical activity and maintaining walking trails, the district achieved first place among Seoul districts in the walking practice rate indicator in 2020 (64.8%) and has maintained first place for two consecutive years since then.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "We developed neighborhood courses so that seniors can easily engage in physical activity without going far, and we ask for active participation," adding, "We will continue to do our best to build a walking-friendly environment and develop programs that everyone can enjoy as we move toward a 'Walking City Nowon.'"

Gangnam-gu recruits first 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis for 24-week health management challenge via mobile app

Recruitment starts April 3; professionals including doctors monitor health data and provide feedback through app and smart bands

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) is recruiting 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 3 for the "Mobile Healthcare Project," which analyzes health activity data and provides health management solutions through a mobile app.

This project, which proactively introduces ICT technology to help residents form healthy lifestyle habits, includes ▲rental of smart bands (activity trackers) for collecting, analyzing, and monitoring health activity data ▲personal health activity monitoring via a dedicated app ▲three health checkups and counseling services at the public health center.

Applicants must be Gangnam-gu residents or workers aged 19 or older with at least one health risk factor such as hypertension, diabetes, or high triglycerides. After consulting with a team of professionals including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and exercise specialists at the public health center, participants receive customized health management support for 24 weeks through the mobile app. Activity data such as step count, heart rate, and calories burned are monitored and feedback is provided via the app and smart band. A mid-term checkup is conducted after three months, and health indicators are reviewed after six months. Incentives are provided to those who consistently participate in the six-month program.

Applications can be made by phone through the Disease Control Division at the public health center. However, those already diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia and currently taking medication are excluded. Eligibility is determined through a preliminary examination.

Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, "We actively utilize smart technology to help residents develop and manage healthy habits," adding, "We will support residents’ health promotion through various health management programs provided by public health center professionals."