Naturopathic Doctor Continues Walk Across USA for Health Equity

Naturopathic News

Fargo, ND – Dennis Godby, 69, ND, MA, a Sacramento, CA-Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND), to raise awareness across the USA of significant health disparities, and support the “Health Equity,” movement, will continue his inspiring 756 mile walking trek across America – Walk USA for Health Equity (WUHE) – August 25-September 25, 2025, on the 4th leg of his journey across the USA, from Fargo, ND to Bozeman, MT. This is Dr. Godby’s third crossing of the USA on foot.

www.WalkUSAforHealthEquity.org/media/

The mission of WUHE is to raise awareness of health disparities, such as 3x more Black women dying at childbirth than White women, and to advocate for ALL Americans having the opportunity to achieve optimal health. WUHE focuses on: Implicit Bias, Stress/Racism/Hypertension, Rural Issues, Nutrition on a Budget, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Exercising in non-toxic areas.

Dr. Godby walks one-fifth of the USA each year and is partnering with local organizations, health equity advocates, Naturopathic Doctors, walkers, and others in North Dakota and Montana, to accompany him walking and hosting community health forums along the route.

The first three legs of the walk, 2022-2024, Myrtle Beach to Knoxville to Milwaukee, and most recently, Milwaukee to Fargo, in September 2024, have been successfully completed. The 5th and final leg, Bozeman, MT, to Seattle, WA, will conclude the transcontinental journey in 2026. WUHE will continue as a health equity movement after the walk has been completed. 

The first 3 legs of WUHE were a solo walk, totaling 1,938 miles, achieved without a support vehicle. However, for the last 2 segments, due to the distances between towns, Dr. Godby will use a support driver and vehicle. The upcoming itinerary includes a daily average of 26 miles – a marathon per day. Dr. Godby will sleep in houses of Naturopathic Doctors, hotels, and, in the back of a truck. His typical day begins about 7:30, and ends about 5:30 pm, depending on planned local events, media, and other unforeseen factors. 

In training for the walk, Dr. Godby has logged 14,900 miles over the last 4.5 years, averaging 8.8 daily miles, despite a 2018 torn left knee meniscus and 2024 open heart surgery.

Dr. Godby’s 2023-released book, Health for All: A Journey Towards Health Equity, chronicles his journeys on foot for social justice and health, and, most recently, his experiences from the first leg of the walk in 2022.

The 47-year veteran of long runs and walks of conscience for health and social justice, and the 2023 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians “True Grit” award recipient, Dr. Godby hopes to inspire a more health-equal and healthier nation. 

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