On August 30th, thousands of individuals in various locations across São Paulo chose to replace their routine with a moment dedicated to movement, fellowship, and solidarity. In total, the first edition of the Unimeds Paulistas Walks featured the participation of 30,000 people, an initiative organized by Unimed Fesp in collaboration with the Unimed Federation SP Institute and the intra-federative Unimeds of São Paulo.
The event took place simultaneously in 36 municipalities, bringing together clients, partner doctors, collaborators, and local residents. Participation included children, youth, adults, and seniors, with the main objective being to promote physical exercise and the adoption of healthier habits.
Beyond being a walking event, the action demonstrated how health promotion projects have the power to mobilize communities and generate a significant social impact.
Movement for health that also reached those in need
To participate in the walks, registration required donating supplies intended for charitable organizations. This effort resulted in the collection of over 32,000 items, including food, milk, geriatric diapers, pet food, hygiene and cleaning materials, and warm clothing.
Specifically, 15.5 tons of non-perishable food, 14,000 liters of milk, one thousand geriatric diapers, and 600 kilograms of animal feed were collected, in addition to other products. All these donations were directed to 106 social institutions.
A representative commented on the satisfaction of seeing so many cities engaged, mobilizing their communities for the sake of health. He emphasized that, despite being only the first edition, expectations were exceeded, demonstrating that the joint effort amplifies positive results for society.
36 municipalities united by a common purpose
The debut of the Unimeds Paulistas Walks covered different areas of the state. Municipalities such as São Paulo, Santos, Guarulhos, Sorocaba, Bauru, Franca, Piracicaba, Marília, Presidente Prudente, Araçatuba, Botucatu, Guaratinguetá, and Tupã were among the participants, totaling 36 cities involved in the initiative.
The coordinated execution in all cities underlined the state-wide scope of the project and strengthened Unimed's connection with the communities where it operates. As detailed in the action's planning, it was promoted regionally by 30 branches, each in its respective area of operation.
Small changes can be part of the routine
The Unimeds Paulistas Walks also served to reinforce the 'Change 1 Habit' movement, a campaign developed by Unimed throughout Brazil. This proposal aims to encourage simple changes in daily life that can contribute to a higher quality of life.
Health professionals were present at the initiative, offering guidance and services to participants during the walks. In this context, the walk establishes itself as an accessible way to incorporate movement into the routine and bring people together around a common goal: caring for health and encouraging healthier choices.
An initiative that begins with the first edition
With the participation of 30,000 people, coverage in 36 municipalities, and the distribution of over 32,000 items to social institutions, the first edition of the Unimeds Paulistas Walks consolidated its presence in the state calendar.
For Unimed Fesp, this experience confirms that caring for people also involves stimulating physical activity, promoting gatherings, and strengthening ties with communities. Unimed Fesp, with its 54 years of history, is a medical cooperative that is part of the Unimed System and works institutionally with the Unimeds of the state of São Paulo. As an operator, it sells corporate health plans for companies with more than 100 employees, following eligibility criteria, currently having over 480,000 beneficiaries and more than 150 contracting companies.