MARQUETTE — A local chapter of Walk with a Doc has been launched by Dr. Evan Loukusa, a second-year resident physician of the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program.

Walk with a Doc is a nationwide program that encourages community members to improve their health by walking.

“Spending time outdoors and building social relationships are both important pillars of health,” Loukusa said in a news release. “This is an easy first step for community members looking to make healthy behavior changes.”

Walk with a Doc will occur the first Thursday of every month throughout the year. The meeting time is 6:30 p.m. at the YMCA lobby in Marquette. Walking takes place along the bike path on Lakeshore Boulevard. In case of severe weather, walking will take place in the Superior Dome.

Loukusa points out that 150 minutes a week or 20 minutes a day can decrease high blood pressure and risk of heart disease, diabetes and improve your overall health.

According to the CDC, “Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.”