Monthly Member Spotlight – Volume 2, Issue 9 – Walk With A Doc
Monthly Member Spotlight:
Walk With A Doc
We love Fall at the OAAA – crisp falling leaves, pumpkin flavor on everything, and, best of all, great walking weather! To celebrate, we’re excited to spotlight Walk with a Docthis September, an organization that’s taking steps (literally) to reduce the burden of osteoarthritis and promote physical activity.
An Interview with Dr. David Sabgir and Walk With A Doc
Dr. David Sabgir, MD, is a cardiologist and the founder of Walk with a Doc.
1. What is your organization’s interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA)?
We first learned about the OAAA through Dr. Amanda Nelson, a rheumatologist at the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Nelson and Kirsten Ambrose, the Program Manager. Kirsten gave a great webinar in May 2016 that taught me a lot on the OAAA. As a cardiologist, I see many patients with the co-morbidity of osteoarthritis. This has a strong overlap with specific areas of my focus. So many of my patients with OA are unable to participate in physical activity that will dramatically improve their chances against heart disease. Many of them are also taking NSAIDs that double their risk of heart disease.
One of the overarching goals of the OAAA is to mobilize health care professionals to identify and address OA in the office – something that must be done.
2. What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?
I believe the overweight and obesity epidemic is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis. With 1/3 of the US being overweight and an additional 1/3 being obese – 2/3 us are at risk for osteoarthritis with that risk factor alone. This makes a bad problem worse as our patients now have one more obstacle in their path to regular physical activity.
3. How does your organization’s work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?
At Walk with a Doc we promote the CDC’s 2008 guidelines of moderate physical activity for 150 minutes or more/week. We have found that most of our patients that are doing very well into their 80’s and 90’s have a common denominator – regular physical activity. We believe that by helping facilitate physician led walking (and talking) groups in our communities, such as Dr. Nelson’s, we can help make a difference. Based on a significant amount of recent medical literature, regular moderate physical activity can have a profound effect of treating and preventing osteoarthritis. That’s real news.
4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years? “Osteoarthritis Burden Down 87% Over Previous 5 Years”
The OAAA, in collaboration with Walk with a Doc, have dramatically reduced the burden of pain and suffering associated with osteoarthritis and made it fun while doing it.
5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know about your organization?
We are blessed to have 320 chapters in 45 states and we are starting to see widespread domestic and international expansion.
Hilarious, informative, inspiring – WWAD’s newsletters have been acclaimed for twelve years now – don’t miss out! The ‘Doc’umentary
The “Alternate Route” documentary shadows members and the founder of Walk with a Doc to explore how to create a meaningful doctor-patient relationship and the benefits of walking
And be sure to check out Walk with a Doc on Social Media!
Walk with a Doc events happen every day, all over the country – FREE of charge and no registration required. Join the movement – get walking with a doc in your area!
And join us and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at 10am on Saturday, October 21 at the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont!
The Monthly Member Spotlight is a way to learn more about and highlight the great work being done by our members and member organizations of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance to advance osteoarthritis awareness, resources and education. Are you interested in being featured in our Monthly Member Spotlight? Contact us at oaaction@unc.edu.
Disclaimer: Any reference obtained from this newsletter to a specific research study, resource, service, product, or opinion is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the OAAA. Privacy Policy
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we partner with the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the OAAA’s Medical Advisor, Dr. Amanda Nelson, to hold a 
