Man walks across North Dakota to raise awareness about health disparities

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A Sacramento, CA man is walking from Fargo, ND to Bozeman, MT, about 750 miles, to raise awareness about health disparities across the country.

The trek is part of a four-year journey to hike across the entire country as part of his Walk USA for Health Equity campaign.

On Saturday, Dennis Godby, age 69, started his day at the state capitol. He walks between 8 and 11 hours, or an average of 26 miles a day. That equals approximately 60,000 steps.

While in the state, the naturopathic doctor is highlighting the health care challenges people face in rural areas, including geographic barriers and provider shortages.

“In North Dakota, 46 out of 53 counties are designated by the federal government as short on primary doctors, doctors of all kinds, dentists, mental health providers,” said Godby.

People he meets on his journey tell him about the health inequalities they experience; the most common is not having health insurance.

“Everybody should have a fair chance. Because of food deserts, because of the inability to go to a nice walking place, poverty, or discrimination,” said Godby. “There are so many reasons for the lack of health equity.”

Godby camps along the way, stays with people, or in hotels. In this stretch of his campaign, Godby’s brother is providing support to him.

He started the journey in 2022 in Myrtle Beach, SC and in various stages walked through North Carolina, Tennesse, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Next year, he plans to complete his walk across America when he finishes the last leg of the journey from Bozeman, MT, to Seattle, WA.

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