West Dallas residents step toward health, community and connection

Some West Dallas residents didn’t mind waking up for an early appointment to meet up with pediatrician Erica Solis and family medicine doctor Sarah Ashitey, as part of the Walk with a Doc program. Neighbors gather at the Tipton Park pavilion in West Dallas to walk for an hour with the doctors and learn valuable health information.   

“Walk with a Doc” is designed to encourage physical activity and combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. According to their mission statement, “We have found that the simple act of taking a walk together has the power to transform lives and communities.” 

The program is community-driven, with four key components: physical activity, health education, social connection and spending time in nature. Drs. Solis and Ashitey, who live and grew up in the West Dallas area, respectively, launched the West Dallas chapter of “Walk with a Doc” in April with a grant from the Texas Medical Association. They meet every third Saturday of the month from 9-10 a.m. at Tipton Park, under the pavilion. Before each walk, Drs. Solis and Ashitey step up on the bench seats to briefly discuss a current healthcare topic with participants.

On an August Saturday morning, Dr. Solis begins by telling everyone that the morning’s walk would include picking up litter and cleaning up the park.

“Just like it is important for us to take care of ourselves and our bodies, we also need to be taking care of our communities,” Dr. Ashitey adds, “because the environments we live in can have an impact on our health.” 

City of Dallas equity indicators highlight disparities in health risk factors, with data showing that 66% of Hispanic residents report inactivity or insufficient activity — the highest rate among racial groups. Black residents follow closely at 59.5%, while white residents report the lowest rates of inactivity at 49.9%. Physical inactivity can lead to Chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and chronic lower respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death in Texas. 

According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest quitting rate of any physical activity. Walking is low-impact and easier on joints than running. It is safe — with a doctor’s OK — for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions and those who are overweight.

That’s why, Dr. Solis says, it’s important to host these monthly walks because it gives West Dallas neighbors an opportunity for regular physical activity — encouraging “movement, health education and social connections.” 

Walk with a Doc
Third Saturday of the month, 9-10 a.m.
Tipton Park pavilion, 3600 Magdeline, 75212
Website: https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/west-dallas-texas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westdallasone/
2024 scheduled walks: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 21