SPHHP promotes 2017 Step Challenge

Registration is now open for the School of Public Health and Health Professions’ (SPHHP) second annual Step Challenge to promote healthy activity and encourage individuals to live healthier lifestyles.

The challenge will take place throughout the entire month of April as a part of the school’s celebration of the American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week.

The 2017 Step Challenge is free and open to the public. Interested participants may sign up individually or as part of a team, and will be asked to log their step count once a week to help track progress toward the collective goal of taking 200 million steps during the month of April.

Prizes will be awarded throughout the monthlong contest, as well as at the end of the competition, for steps logged and social media participation. Prizes include iPad Minis, Fitbits, fitness gear, gift cards and more. Social media users are encouraged to post pictures of persons actively contributing to the challenge goal using the hashtag #UBsteps17.

During the inaugural 2016 challenge, more than 1,100 individuals logged over 195 million steps during the contest. Steps taken during the 2016 Step Challenge also counted toward the American Public Health Association's 1 Billion Steps Challenge. UB recorded the most steps for a collegiate community in the APHA challenge.

For more information about the 2017 Step Challenge and prize details, visit the challenge's website.

The Step Challenge is just one part of SPHHP's National Public Health Week celebration, which also will include special guest speakers, seminars and interactive events. All events are free and open to the public. While National Public Health Week officially takes place April 3-9, UB's activities will continue throughout the month of April.

For more details about SPHHP's National Public Health Week events, visit the school's website.