Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is hosting National Walk@Lunch Day on Wednesday at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham.

In a press release, the company said it is “proud to partner with the City of Birmingham for this special health and wellness event.”

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, with walks scheduled every 30 minutes beginning at 11:00 a.m. Hundreds of participants are expected, with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin leading the noon walk.

Local businesses, vendors, food trucks and health organizations will also be participating. Fitness and health demonstrations are scheduled throughout the event.

National Walk@Lunch Day encourages employees to get active and walk during their lunch break. This commitment can help reduce the likelihood of future health problems and can help lower overall healthcare costs for both employers and employees.

“Blue Cross recognizes the importance of Alabamians making healthy lifestyle choices which can help manage healthcare costs. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 a year for every family in America. Studies also show walking just 30 minutes a day can help improve an individual’s overall health,” the company explained.

National Walk@Lunch Day is a statewide initiative with walks also to take place in Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn